”Cock-a-doodle-doo”

Today is Good Friday…..Catholics around the world mid-day will gather to remember the death of our King….A man beaten and ground into dust by the powers of the world…Only to rise again…..Are we willing to “lose” in the eyes of the world in order to “win”?…A question one must ask themselves if they claim to follow Christ…..The answer to that question separates the “sheep from the “goats” when its all said and down…………”See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Even as many were amazed at him--so marred was his look beyond human semblance and his appearance beyond that of the sons of man--so shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; for those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it”….During the three years of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he said and taught many things - Most of which went in one ear and out the other ear of the people that followed him…....”My Kingdom is not of this world” - A statement Jesus clearly proclaimed as he faced certain death as Pontius Pilate interrogated him…….Jesus made it perfectly clear to Pilate, an earthly King, that he was “not interested” in power as human beings perceive it……How about us?……Do we have “one foot in the world and one foot in heaven”? - Do we want to have it both ways? - Do we want the “crown of heaven” but forego the “crown of thorns”?.........There is no such thing as “cheap grace”……”He was spurned and avoided by people, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom people hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all”………..Jesus was very clear - “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” - The statement could not be any clearer! - How about the “statement” of our life’s witness?…….If we are serious about our commitment to Christ and his Church, we too must be willing to “give up our life”…..For most of us, that will not mean being “nailed to a cross” - However, know this and let it “settle in” - Every soul in heaven, died sacrificially - “White martyrdom” is death by “a thousand cuts”…Its a father who gets up early every day and works for his family - Its a mother who gives up her dreams to have many children - Its foregoing having a big house - Its foregoing having nice cars - Its giving up sleep….This is how most of us “die to ourself” and this is the only way into heaven!…..No one enters heaven, without dying sacrificially, no matter what state in life you were called too - Whether a priest, married or single…..”Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many”……The road to “Golgotha” must be walked by us all - There is no other way


“Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name”

Over the years I have been married, I have watched my wife and have marveled at how she cares for our five children at a deep personal cost…My wife is highly intelligent and earned a Master’s Degree in Business (MBA) from one of the most prestigious universities in America…..She could have taken a very different path and that path would have made her very rich!…Instead, she had five children in ten years…..My wife gave up so much and when I watch her, I am simply amazed!….If we as Catholics want to “convince” the world that our religion is “the way” to heaven…We must live sacrificially - No one will ever believe us if we do not witness a life of sacrifice….At the heart of the Catholic faith is sacrifice - And each of us as Catholics basically “make a bet”….We wager that this world means very little when compared to eternal life….But if we “make that bet” with our lips - We have to “back it up” with our life….The world will not even “blink” at Catholic teaching proclaimed from the pulpit or in the public square for that matter unless we as Catholics live sacrificially…And if we do live sacrificially - From the Pope down to the lady who cleans the Church…Catholics will set the world on fire! - The “power” of our Catholic witness rests in our personal sacrifice….As we say in New Jersey - “Don’t kid yourself”….No one will believe a word you say - Unless you live sacrificially!

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help”

Today the world watches and waits - Its Good Friday - Jesus hung on a Cross until the Hour of Mercy rung out…….“It is finished”…….What will be said when our last breath is taken? - Are we willing to “pour out our life” for others? - This is a fundamental question that needs to be pondered on this day…..The impact we leave behind rests in our sacrifice not in our words….Its what will separate the “sheep” from the “goats”…..We all remember the words of St Peter…..“Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you” - How did that turn out?………Words mean very little - Sacrifice means everything……….”Cock-a-doodle-doo”………….JMJ