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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

”Thy will be done!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay the course - Straight ahead

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

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

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

“I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t make what is simple complicated

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

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

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

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

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

What man can not do - God will do - May they all be one!

Today at Holy Mass we hear again in the first reading from the Book of Acts…We are told that the Church was unified…..”The community of believers was of one heart and mind”…….One of the greatest scandals in the entire history of Christendom has to be the divisions within the Christian family….How can we project to the world the saving message of Jesus Christ when we can not even agree with fellow believers?…..Even within the walls of the Catholic Church today, division and disunity is everywhere - How is this possible?!?….As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, everything is written down - Everything! - Yet, our people twist and “spin” words like politicians to suit agendas….This is a great scandal - One in which breaks the heart of Christ!…..If we are fortunate enough to enter heaven - God willing!!!!! - All people will be of one mind and one heart - Have you ever thought about that?….When we pray the only prayer Jesus gave to us - The Our Father - We say with our own words - “Thy Kingdom come - On earth as it is in heaven” - We actually say those words!!!!! - And yet division still exists - What a scandal!!!!!…..How do we expect to enter the Kingdom of God when we “hold on” to ideologies and agendas that contradict the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his Holy Catholic Church…….If we believe that the Catholic Church is divinely guided, which it is…If we believe that the Pope, who is a man, but a man chosen by God himself to guide the faithful…If we believe that the Catholic Church, the only Church founded by Jesus himself contains the fullness of Truth…And lastly - This is the tough part - If we bear patiently with those both inside and outside the Church that twist and spin the Truth, knowing God himself with “untwist” what man can not fix…..That for me is the toughest part - Do you agree? - Bearing patiently with others in charity!…..If we do “all those things” - God will bring about unity - In his time……..Once again - Let us look to the only prayer Jesus gave us - The Our Father - "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us"……Each of us is flawed and because of that we must bear with and forgive each other - Knowing that God is the “master builder”…..”A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 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”…….Sometimes we must just “be still” and know that what man can not do - God will do - Christian unity will one day be achieved….Do your part in the meantime

"'You must be born from above.'The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Every Catholic should read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was published by Pope John Paul II in 1992….In that book, which is very readable, contains everything that Church professes to be true….In addition to that book, every Catholic should also read the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, which lays out the social teachings of what the Church professes to be true - This document was also published by Pope John Paul II……Once we read these two documents - We must then avail ourselves to God’s grace - Only through grace will we “bend our will” to what is contained in these two books….Everything the Catholic Church professes to be true is “do-able” - But only through grace…..No matter how gifted we are”think” we are - We can not self manufacture our will to comport with God’s will……”The cup must be made empty for milk to be poured into it”…..”The cup” is us! - In order for God’s Holy Spirit to animate our life, we must “make room” for it……Then what seems impossible will become possible……..In this day and age - How can a married couple not use contraception? - Children are expensive!!!!!…….On my wedding day, this was on my mind……So much so, I pulled the priest who concelebrated my wedding Mass to speak with him…He assured me that “God will provide”……And fast forward twelve years later - My wife and I have five children - We also lost three through mis-carriages…..And while life is not easy, as one could image with five children under eleven years old - Our family manages - God does provide!!!….We as Catholics must learn to trust….God’s plan is better than our plan!…..And Christian unity is found in God’s plan - Not “our plan”

“If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”

Today we hear at Mass that the early Church “was of one heart and mind”…What a beautiful time it must have been to be Catholic - Today sadly, we face a different Church altogether - Between divisions within the Catholic Church itself, petty arguments, disobedience and lack of formation - Not to mention the thousands of Protestant denominations that exist all over the world - We sadly are very far from the unity that Jesus hoped for….What are we doing to improve this sad state of affairs?…First off - Do we know what the Church actually teaches and why it teaches it? - Secondly, when we see others depart from Church teaching - Are we charitable?….Ultimately we can not convince people of anything - Only the Holy Spirit can “convict” a soul of its errors…In the mean time, do we bear patiently with each other? - Do we offer a good and consistent example?……God will fix what man cannot fix - And at the “end of the day” - There will be one Church - One people with One heart and One mind…..For those of us who believe everything the Catholic Church teaches now - We have to leave the “heavy lifting to God” - We cannot “fix” what God can only fix!……..”Every mountain and hill will be made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley”……What man can not do - God will do - May they all be one!…..JMJ

Walk the narrow road that leads to life and never look back

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading how the first followers of Jesus not only faced persecution from their society but in the face of that persecution spoke fearlessly and boldly….”And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness”…..The Truth divides! - It divided society in Jesus’ day and it divides society today……The reason for this is when we live and speak the Truth - There is a deep and very real cost - Some are willing to “pay that cost” and others are not……No matter how you “spin it” - This world will never comport to the will of God…..As a Catholic if we “think” we are going to find some form of “heaven on earth” - We are greatly mistaken…The closest we will ever get to “heaven on earth” is at the Mass….In the meantime, we will face persecution as did the original followers of Christ - This is reality and this reality must be accepted as part of our Cross…..However, when we live in the state of grace, zeal for God and his Church will manifest itself in bold and fearless ways - We see that in the life of the saints, who spoke and lived the Truth at great personal costs….This is why the witness of the saints is so important……….So let’s be bold and blunt - We either believe what the Catholic Church teaches or we do not - We can not write all these “big ideas” down - Various traditions, dogmas, and Church Canons, only to ignore them when life’s many trials call for Truth to be spoken and more importantly lived out in real time - We also can not “selectively” use Church teaching to meet ideological or political agendas - Truth is Truth and you either believe what the Church teaches or you do not - The eyes of the world are watching - People can smell a fake from a mile away way! - However, when the Gospel is lived out boldly - Even the hardest of hearts take note and some even are transformed…..As Catholics we must be bold, clear and consistent as were the first followers of Christ - We must proclaim the Gospel with our very life - And “pay the price” when it is required…….“Remember the word I spoke to you, No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me”…….We are either “In or Out” - “Hot or Cold” - There is no time for Luke-warm Catholicism!….....“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God”

Do we view our faith through our own lens or through the lens of God? - Do we believe we can get into heaven on “our terms"? - Those are good questions to ponder and how we address those questions determine just how important our Catholic faith really is to us….After I graduated from college at the age of twenty-two years old I committed my life to Christ and my Catholic faith…..And for twenty long years I live alone….I knew I wanted to get married to someone who believed in not “some” but all of what the Church taught….And for twenty long years I could not find such a person…In the meantime, my family “wrote me off” telling me - “You will never find a woman who thinks like you”…..People thought because I was without a wife for so long I was “strange”…..And that went on for twenty long years!!!! - In the mean-time, God formed me and I grew closer to him - And in God’s time, he sent me my wife - I was forty-two years old when that happened - We married and within ten years had five children….All this happened to the surprise of my family and friends who never thought I would find someone like my wife - But before I was married - From the age of twenty-two to forty-two - I suffered alone for twenty long years…..Are you willing to suffer for God and his Church? - When the “world” does not understand you or the decisions you make because of your Catholic faith…..God uses everything we experience in life for a “greater good” - The process of sanctification is a long and painful one at times - Are we willing to pay the price? - There is no such thing as “cheap grace” and the doors of heaven do not open on “our terms”

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the LORD and against his anointed: "Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!"

Today we hear at Mass about how the original followers of Christ were bold in the face of persecution - How about us?…If you think you are going to live an authentic Catholic life and not face persecution - Frankly you are not living in the real world….The World - The Flesh - And the devil will throw everything and more at you to discourage you! - There is only one way forward - And that is straight ahead!…..Armed with daily prayer, fasting and grace we as Catholics have everything we need to not only persevere but to thrive in the world - But in order to live as Catholics, we must live Sacramentally - There is no way one can do what the Church asks of us grounded solely upon human strength - But with grace all things are possible!!! - Are we willing to pay the price? - Are we willing to endure persecution for the name of Jesus Christ and his Church?…..Jesus tells us - “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” - Do you believe that? - If you do - Pick up your cross and follow me - Walk the narrow road that leads to life and never look back…………….JMJ

I Trust in You

Today the Universal Church commemorates Divine Mercy Sunday…..This is a relatively new devotion, which came out of the papacy of Pope John Paul II, however, this devotion is of infinite importance….Jesus Christ wishes for the salvation of every soul…..We however in order to enter into eternal life must cooperate with God’s grace…Divine Mercy Sunday is a day to mediate upon, as well as take advantage of God’s mercy…….”Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked—oracle of the Lord GOD? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?”….Before Jesus Christ returns in his glory, he will give the world every opportunity to take advantage of his infinite mercy before the world faces his judgment….I believe this devotion, which was given to the Universal Church and the world following the bloodiest century (the 19th century) mankind ever experienced is a “signpost” - Divine Mercy Sunday is in a sense a beginning of something new - Its a “door” into what I believe is a time of preparation for mankind - Jesus Christ will return!!!! - Take advantage of His mercy!

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

How we see the world and our individual life experiences, both the good and the bad, determines most times the road forward most of us choose - That is how it “works” for most people……If we view our life as a means to an end…A path to the eternal - Our choices will be different then those who simply ground their existence upon the here and now….No matter who we are, no matter how gifted, we all suffer - And its how we view the moments of suffering that in many ways matter the most….The unbelieving world rejects suffering - Has no answer for it - A Catholic uses suffering when it comes as a means of sanctification - A Catholic does not turn from God when he suffers, he embraces God, knowing God allowed suffering to enter the world as a “means to an end” - To work as a “tool” for our sanctification……Today in the second reading at Holy Mass, St Peter addresses this subject with the first believers...…..”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls”….Divine Mercy Sunday is a reminder for us - That no matter what we may be enduring, God is merciful - That no matter what trial the world is engulfed in - There is a purpose! - God’s hand is on it and will use even the worst of events for his greater glory - This mindset many times only comes to us “in time” and through grace……………….When I was twenty-two years old, at arguably the lowest point of my life, I opened my heart to the reality of God and my Catholic faith….During that time of great trial in my life, I made a life long decision - The best decision of my lifetime to date! - To embrace my Catholic faith fully - For over three decades now I have not turned back and I can say that the suffering I endured that “got me to that point” was worth it - If it was not for the suffering I endured, I would not have become the person I am today - This was a great mercy but a painful lesson to learn…..The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a story of great mercy - A young man squandered everything that was given to him only to find out that his choices and “great ideas” all led to dead-ends…..And when the Prodigal Son came to his senses, his Father was waiting for him, to welcome him back home…..This is what Divine Mercy Sunday is all about - God waits for us! - He gives us a “second chance” - Why? - Because God’s mercy is endless!…..If only we take his hand……Sadly, before that happens, due to our fallen nature and human pride, we have to come to the “end of ourself”, like the Prodigal son - The Prodigal son’s story is a common story we all share….We have to see for ourself that all our “good ideas” lead to “dead ends” as long as we keep God out of our choices….But through it all - God is patient and God waits for us - Like all good Fathers wait for their sons…..Love can not be forced upon anyone, and nor can mercy for that matter….Love is a choice and mercy must be requested - Its an act of the will - Our “knee” must bend to it and embrace it fully….Today the Universal Church offers both - Love and Mercy

“You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty yourself out upon us………….O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in you!”……JMJ

”Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead”

 Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading read from the Book of Acts how Peter and John are once again in trouble with the Jewish religious leaders….A miracle took place and the people were amazed by it….The religious leaders also acknowledge the miracle but look past it…..They were more concerned with their position and power….”Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, “What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it”…Any objective honest person would have been convinced that Peter and John were apart of something “special”….But the Sanhedrin ignored what frankly could not be ignored!….And they payed a heavy price……The life and death of Jesus brought about a change, this is undeniable….God had made a covenant with the Jewish people and he fulfilled that convent right before their eyes…Keep in mind - Jesus was a Jew - Jospeh was a Jew - Mary was a Jew….All the earlier disciples of Jesus were for the most part Jews…Yet ironically, the Jewish elite, the educated religious class were not interested in how God manifested himself in the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant…One would think the Sanhedrin would be the first ones “on board”….But as we know that was not the case….Today’s reading gives us a look into the hearts of men - How men can portray themselves to be “religious” but in actuality, their hearts were far from God………God is not interested in our “outward appearances”…..God weighs the human heart  - This is how we will be judged……….“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes* of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But] these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood”…….As Catholics, we must always be aware of our interior disposition - We can say “all the right things” and still not be “right” with God….Its not what we do that matters as much as how we do it…..Is love at the center of what we do? - Do we embrace Truth, when it is convenient or inconvenient? - Do we see God in our neighbor and as a result love our neighbor?……Today we hear about the Sanhedrin, who were highly educated, which means they should have known better!….The Sanhedrin saw the miracle performed by Peter and John and dismissed it……The Sanhedrin “talked a good game” but their hearts were far from God…….How about us?…..Do we simply just talk? - Say all the right things - Are our hearts far from God?

“Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the just shall enter it”

How do we assess authentic faith?…..The Catholic church possess the fullness of the Truth - There is no debate about that…But do we as Catholics utilize everything that was given to us?…I have been Catholic my enter life…In that time I have encountered the “lukewarm” as well as those who were “on fire” with their faith….How can we tell the difference?……How can we separate the “sheep” from the “goats”?……..It all comes down to the Cross…..To be Catholic means you not only accept the reality of the Cross but you carry it as well…..When a deeply sacrificial lifestyle is observed - Whether it is a priest, a married couple or a non-married person - There authentic faith is found! - It is found in those who embrace their Cross and live sacrificially for others - Its there that we will find authentic Catholicism and no where else….Let’s take a moment and ponder the Church at its very beginning - When we do this we find  Jesus, Mary and Joseph - These were simple and humble people….The Holy family lived for God, each other and others - They lived sacrificially - Putting God first above all things…..This is how we know we found the “real deal”, both two thousand years ago and today as well……Are we as Catholics willing to be uncomfortable? - Are we as Catholics willing to forego the “things of this world” for the Kingdom of God?…..And when the unbelieving world “sees” with its own two eyes a sacrificial people - Trust Me!!! - They are suddenly “struck by lightning” and “miraculously” the unbelieving world is “all ears” - They begin to “hear” what is spoken from the pulpits of our Churches….But that will not happen, unless we as Catholics live sacrificially and put God above all things and in turn love our neighbor as ourself….That is how the world discerns the “real deal”

“My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just”

Today in the Book of Acts, we heard at Mass when confronted with persecution, Peter and John were not concerned….They spoke the Truth and placed the Truth above comfort - Above social status - Above even their personal safety…How about us?……”So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard”……Have we as Catholics become like everyone else? - Part of the “status-quo”….Do we “go along to get along”?…..Comfort is the enemy of the Cross!……The power of our Catholic witness is not in what we say - The power of our Catholic witness rests in our Cross and how we carry it…..People believe what they see - “Nice words” will never convince an unbelieving world to suddenly change, never mind sacrifice comfort for a Church that claims to posses the fullness of Truth - If we say we believe in God and possess the fullness of Truth, which by the way we do! - Then we have to show it by the way we live - And we show it as Catholics by living sacrificially….“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head” - What is good for the master is good for his servants!…………………….”Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead”……..JMJ

What beautiful words they are

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the Gospel of St John how the first apostles thought since Jesus was dead, the “mission” also died with him…How wrong they were!….The first apostles were fishermen so that is what they went back too - Fishing - And while they were fishing, St John sees Jesus on the shore…..”So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea”…….Not too long ago, St Peter betrayed Jesus and here he is rushing to greet the Risen Lord…..You would think Peter after betraying God, would have run in the opposite direction…..This moment tells us so much about the character of St Peter -  This moment tells us, in my opinion, about the greatness of St Peter - That “greatness” was grounded in his humility!……From the very beginning, when Adam and Eve betrayed God and ate of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden - What did they do? - They hid - Not Peter! - He did the exact opposite of Adam and Eve - St Peter ran towards Christ after he betrayed him…This is the lesson for all of us today…..Each and everyone of us is a sinner - And because that is reality - We must confront our sins - We do that by “running to Jesus” as St Peter did, not away from him  - And we do that by confessing our sins Sacramentally….Its when we confront our sins “head on” that we like St Peter encounter the Risen Lord……Our world today does the exact opposite - It “glosses” over sins - Makes excuses for sins - “Rationalizes” sins away - But our sins don’t go away!…..Only Jesus Christ can forgive sins and when you go to Confession with a Catholic Priest, you encounter Christ himself!….Our world today is so weighed-down by guilt and shame - And those wounds caused by sins are then projected onto others…….Jesus walked the earth for one reason only - “To take away the sins of the world”…But for that to happen, we must Sacramentally confess!….Sins do not “magically” go away - In fact, its just the opposite, sins and the wounds caused by sins fester - Time does not heal our wounds caused by sins…..There is only one cure! - One Sacramental Confession can wipe away a lifetime of sins!…..And this is why St Peter was so great - He confronted his sins and because of that God forgave him and as a result the fisherman who the world once knew became a saint…..”Bless me Father for I have sinned!” - A “new chapter” of life awaits us….But it will not “magically”happen - We have to confront our sins as St Peter did - Running way does not make our sins go away!

"His mercy endures forever.”…..Let those who fear the LORD say, "His mercy endures forever"

People talk about “change” all the time - But does anything really change?….People seem to repeat the same mistakes over and over again…This is why living Sacramentally is so vital….When we regularly confess our sins, not only are we forgiven, but we are given grace to overcome our sins in time…This is how we grow in virtue and this is how we also grow in sanctity…..And as a result of going to Confession regularly, when Catholics then receive the Blessed Sacrament in the state of grace - God then “rains down” grace into our soul….This is not “rocket science” - This is “Catholicism 101” - But is this happening?…..The lines for Holy Communion at Mass seem to be much longer than the lines for Confession…Maybe that needs to change?….A little bit of preparation goes a long way…When we prepare our soul to receive the Blessed Sacrament each week at Mass - We will notice the difference! - So will our family and the world around us notice the difference - That is how “real change” happens!….Catholics can not give to others what they do not have and if we are not living in the state of grace - We will not benefit from receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass - It cannot be written any clearer than that - Is this perennial Catholic teaching being taught in our homes, in our schools and from the pulpits of our Churches?…..If not, maybe it needs to be!

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it”

Today at Mass we heard in the Gospel how St Peter confronts Jesus after he betrayed him….Think about it - St Peter betrayed God! - That is a big-time sin! - But St Peter did not let that reality prevent him from reconciling himself to the man he betrayed…..How about us?……Each of us are sinners - Do we have the humility to confront the man we too have betrayed?…..This is how we are healed and this is how we are propelled forward…..For God’s grace to manifest in our life, we have to “clear away” the obstacles that “get in the way” of that grace….This begins with these words - “Bless me Father for I have sinned”…..What beautiful words they are…….JMJ

Those who have been given much - Much is expected!

Today at Holy Mass we hear a passage from the Acts of Apostles…Peter once again addresses the Jews…..In doing so he states the following…..”Now I know, brothers and sisters, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer”…..To sin mortally requires three components: The sin must be grave in nature - The person must be fully aware the sin is grave in nature -The person with full knowledge and consent commits the sin…..Peter tells the crowd that they “acted out of ignorance”….Peter’s words echo some of the last words of Jesus from the Cross - “Forgive them Father - They know not what they do”…….How many people today, who reject our Catholic faith - “Know not what they do?”…And how blessed we are to have been born into the Catholic Church as a result of family ties, education or cultural norms…….Therefore, those of us who have been “give much” - Much will be required!……

What does the the Catechism of the Catholic Church tell us pertaining to this idea about ignorance of Truth?

”Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism” (1277)……”Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.  This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church. Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation. "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men." (CCC 846-848)

What does all this mean? - It means in order to be saved we must be Baptized….What else does the Catechism tells us? - That we are also saved by means of the Catholic Church - Why?….Because even after Baptism, we still sin and it is through the Church and the Sacrament of Reconciliation that we are forgiven - We also receive the Blessed Sacrament by means of the Catholic Church, which is heavenly food (i.e. food for the journey), which enables us to live as God’s Holy Will demands of us…..But here is the interesting part and how this teaching from the Catechism relates to the first reading from Acts today at Mass…..If a person, “Through no fault of their own” - Is not Catholic, God will judge that soul and “those too may achieve eternal salvation” - Did you “catch that”?!?…..Today we heard at Mass St Peter tell the Jews that they killed Jesus out of ignorance….Jesus from the Cross says the same thing…..What is our response to secular people we encounter each day? - Do we judge them? - People only know what they are taught - As Catholics, like St Peter, we must be bold and clear in our teaching of the faith…That is “our job” as Catholics! - Why? - Because those who have been given much, much will be expected!

“You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet”

Are you aware that one mortal sin can result in a soul going to hell?……How are we forming our people? - Do our Catholic schools teach the fullness of the faith? - Do Catholic parents prioritize modeling and teaching the Catholic faith to their children?……Once again - People only know what they know!….How can “our people” live as God called them to live if they were not taught the fullness Truth!….Our Church is called to be bold, as were the first apostles in the Book of Acts…..Our job as Catholics is not to “be like everyone else” in society but to be “salt and light” to the world…..“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lamp-stand so that those who enter may see the light”……The word “Catholic” means “Universal” - That means the doors of the Church are open to everyone! - However, if we want to be “in communion”, notice the word “communion” with the Church, we must know and do our very best to live all the teachings as taught by the Church for two thousand years….That means - We can not receive the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday if we only accept “some” of the teaching…But before that happens, the faithful must be properly instructed…..That means - The Church must speak boldly and clearly…..Catholics today are not doing people any “favors” by “watering” down Church teachings…..Jesus himself was very clear on this matter…..“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”…..”Lukewarm” Catholicism does not work!…..When we adhere to the “vine”, we will “bear fruit” - Jesus assures us of this - So be not afraid! - Be Bold and Be Catholic!

“In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed”

Today at Mass we hear in the first reading St Peter addressing the crowd…Peter tells it like it is!….He tells the crowd that it was their actions that resulted in the death of Jesus…But he also tells them that they acted in ignorance….But through his instruction, they now “know” the fullness of the Truth…What else does St Peter tell the crowd?…”Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away”…..This same “mission” laid out by St Peter has not changed in two thousand years! - Repent and Believe in the Gospel……….Our “job” as Catholics is to: Know the Truth - Speak the Truth - Live the Truth - And when called too - Suffer for the Truth……Is this your mission?….”The Truth” will set the world free, but if the world does not know the Truth - How will it ever be free?…That task falls to us as Catholics - The Church is an extension of Jesus Christ himself and we possess as Catholics the fullness of Truth…So what does that imply?…….Those who have been given much - Much is expected!…..JMJ