Friday, October 30, 2009

ALL SOULS DAY - November 2


Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

All Souls Day follows All Saints Day, and commemorates the faithful departed, those who die in God's faith and friendship. However, Catholics believe that not all those who die in God's grace are immediately ready for the Beatific vision, i.e. the reality and goodness of God and heaven, so they must be purified of "lesser faults," and the temporal effects of sin. The Catholic Church calls this purification of the elect, "purgatory." The Catholic teaching on Purgatory essentially requires belief in two realities: 1 - that there will be a purification of believers prior to entering heaven and 2 - that the prayers and masses of the faithful in some way benefit those in the state of purification. As to the duration, place, and exact nature of this purification, the Church has no official dogma, although Saint Augustine and others used fire as a way to explain the nature of the purification. Many faithful Catholics, including Pope Benedict XVI, grant that Purgatory may be an existential state as opposed to a temporal place. In other words, Purgatory may be something we experience instantaneously, because it is outside of the confines of created time and space. Many non-Catholics, including C.S. Lewis, have believed in Purgatory, and the official dogma of Purgatory is hardly offensive, even if the popular understanding of it has led to confusion. As a more everyday explanation, many liken Purgatory to a place to "clean up" oneself before going into the presence of Almighty God.


All Souls is the day to remember, pray for, and offer requiem masses up for these faithful departed in the state of purification. Typically Christians will take this day to offer prayers up on behalf of their departed relatives and friends. Others may remember influential individuals that they never knew personally, such as presidents, musicians, etc. This may be done in the form of the Office of the Dead (Defunctorum officium), i.e. a prayer service offered in memory of departed loved ones. Often this office is prayed on the anniversary (or eve) of the death of a loved one, or on All Souls Day.

There are many customs associated with All Souls Day, and these vary greatly from culture to culture. In Mexico they celebrate All Souls Day as el dia de los muertos, or "the day of the dead." Customs include going to a graveyard to have a picnic, eating skull-shaped candy, and leaving food out for dead relatives. The practice of leaving food out for dead relatives is interesting, but not exactly Catholic Theology. If all of this seems a little morbid, remember that all cultures deal with death in different manners. The Western aversion to anything related to death is not present in other cultures. In the Philippines, they celebrate "Memorial Day" based loosely on All Souls Day. Customs include praying novenas for the holy souls, and ornately decorating relatives' graves. On the eve of All Souls (i.e. the evening of All Saints Day), partiers go door-to-door, requesting gifts and singing a traditional verse representing the liberation of holy souls from purgatory. In Hungary the day is known as Halottak Napja, "the day of the dead," and a common custom is inviting orphans into the family and giving them food, clothes, and toys. In rural Poland, a legend developed that at midnight on All Souls Day a great light shone on the local parish. This light was said to be the holy souls of departed parishioners gathered to pray for their release from Purgatory at the altars of their former earthly parishes. After this, the souls were said to return to scenes from their earthly life and work, visiting homes and other places. As a sign of welcome, Poles leave their windows and doors ajar on the night of All Souls Day. All of these customs show the wide variety of traditions related to All Souls Day.

Christians have been praying for their departed brothers and sisters since the earliest days of Christianity. Early liturgies and inscriptions on catacomb walls attest to the ancientness of prayers for the dead, even if the Church needed more time to develop a substantial theology behind the practice. Praying for the dead is actually borrowed from Judaism, as indicated in 2 Maccabees 12:41-42. In the New Testament, St Paul prays for mercy for his departed friend Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:18). Early Christian writers Tertullian and St. Cyprian testify to the regular practice of praying for the souls of the departed. Tertullian justified the practice based on custom and Tradition, and not on explicit scriptural teaching. This demonstrates that Christians believed that their prayers could somehow have a positive effect on the souls of departed believers. Closely connected to the ancient practice of praying for the dead is the belief in an explicit state called purgatory. The New Testament hints at a purification of believers after death. For example, Saint Paul speaks of being saved, "but only as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:15). Over time, many Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, e.g. in Enchiridion of Faith, Hope, and Love and City of God, further developed the concept of a purgation of sins through fire after death.

In the early days, departed Christians' names were placed on diptychs. In the sixth century, Benedictine communities held commemorations for the departed on the feast of Pentecost. All Souls' Day became a universal festival largely on account of the influence of Odilo of Cluny in AD 998, when he commanded its annual celebration in the Benedictine houses of his congregation. This soon spread to the Carthusian congregations as well. The day was celebrated on various days, including October 15th in 12th century Milan. Today all Western Catholics celebrate All Souls' Day on November 2, as do many Anglicans and Lutherans. Initially many Protestant reformers rejected All Souls' Day because of the theology behind the feast (Purgatory and prayers/masses for the dead), but the feast is now being celebrated in many Protestant communities, in many cases with a sub-Catholic theology of Purgatory. Some Protestants even pray for the dead; many Anglican liturgies include such prayers. While the Eastern Churches lack a clearly defined doctrine of Purgatory, they still regularly pray for the departed.

Monday, August 31, 2009

NOT FOR WOMEN ONLY!

Please join us for the upcoming Little Rock Scripture Study ~

WOMEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT


Discussion and prayer about expectant faith, what it means to be touched by Jesus, and the meaning of discipleship through the lives of the women who lived in the first generation of Christianity.


BEGINNING Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall
for 16 sessions:


September 23 and 30
October 7, 14, 21 and 28
November 4, 11 and 18
December 2
January 6, 13, 20 and 27
February 3 and 10

Please RSVP at heartpetals@g
mail.com or call Millie Martin at 732.672.2303 to reserve a study set.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

More on The Shack


"A bird is not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions God has for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in His image."

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Shack

I took my own advice and while on vacation in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, I read The Shack by William Paul Young.

Without giving away the “story,” I still suggest that you get a chance to read it. Not only is it a compelling and provocative story, but it has a literary quality to it that distinguishes it as a special gift. It offers one of the most poignant views of God and how he relates to humanity that has been written in our time. It will not only encourage you who already know God but will also engage those who have not yet recognized His work in our lives.

I loved the dialogue between Mack and Jesus – Jesus telling him that if he tries to live without Jesus, it will be like trying to walk on water by himself. You can’t! And, when you try, however well intentioned, you’re going to sink.

There is actually a web site to view and add your comments about the book and the author. www.theshackbook.com. Check it out! You can also have your comments posted here by sending them to me at heartpetals@gmail.com.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

JOIN THE SACRED HEART "ON-LINE" BOOK CLUB

To participate in the book club, read the book, review the reflection questions below, then share your thoughts in writing to have them posted on the Sacred Heart Website Blog. Email your responses to: heartpetals@gmail.com. You may purchase the book at your favorite book store or go to www.Amazon.com and make your purchase there.

Select either of the two following titles:

THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson.

“In Pakistan and Afghanistan we drink three cups of tea to do business: the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third you join our family, and for our family,
we are prepared to do anything – even die.”

~ Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karaporam Mountains, Pakistan

In 1993 a mountaineer named Greg Mortenson drifted into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Karakoram mountains after a failed attempt to climb K2. Moved by the inhabitants’ knowledge, he promised to return and build a school. Three Cups of Tea is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome. Over the next decade Mortenson built not just one but fifty five schools– especially for girls– in the forbidden terrain that gave birth to the Taliban. His story is at once a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the humanitarian spirt.

or

THE SHACK by William Paul Young

Mackenzie Allen Phillips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his great sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant “The Shack” wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You will want everyone you know to read this book!

Choose any of the following reflection questions to respond to,
or feel free to respond in your own way.


1. Did this book relate to your life? How?
2. Did this book help you on your faith journey? If so, how?
3. What feelings did this book evoke? Why?

Send your responses to: heartpetals@gmail.com

Enjoy!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Thank You Everyone!

It is hard to believe that the Fifty Days of Easter have come and gone. We celebrated the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday. Many parishioners were dressed in red. Our outstanding choir welcomed The Spirit of God with their amazing singing. It was a joyous day! At Sacred Heart Church it is easy to see the Spirit of God alive. As we begin Ordinary time, Fr. Joe Kerrigan tells us "...we can make it “Extraordinary” time if we truly follow Jesus and not just view him as someone nice to know!"

The Journal is closed for now. The writers – all fifty of them – have been unique, amazing and inspiring. Thank you to all who participated!
May you continue to be richly blessed!

Millie Martin

Sunday, May 31, 2009

PENTECOST

Our feast of Pentecost at Sacred Heart coincides with the Sacrament of Confirmation for 16 boys and girls in our parish at the Pentecost Vigil. Besides the obvious connection of the outpouring of the Spirit both at Pentecost and Confirmation, we are reminded that through the church feast and the special event for those 16 youngsters that the People of God have a future and a vitality that has yet to be fully realized.

May the Spirit be sent forth on the church as a whole to renew the face of the earth, and our little portion of it at Sacred Heart.

Fr. Joe Kerrigan

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

As children, we often let sibling rivalry get in the way of enjoying a good relationship with our parents and listening to their teachings. Worrying whether Mom and Dad love a sister more, or is a brother getting a bigger piece of cake distracts us from their counsel to do what is right and not concern ourselves with petty jealousy.

In today’s Gospel (John 21:20-25), we see Peter exhibiting just this sort of jealousy with his brother disciple John when he asks Jesus if John will be with him until he returns again. No matter that Jesus calls him “Rock” and tells him that upon him the church shall stand, he is still jealous at what he perceives as favoritism between the Lord and this apostle. Rather than focus upon the fact that he, too, can enjoy the presence and teachings of Jesus first-hand, Peter needlessly worries which of them will perish first. Jesus admonishes him, “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.

We should remember our parents’ teachings from our childhood and take Jesus’ advice as we grow in faith: follow Him and not let competition or pettiness derail us from the path to heaven.

Christina Leslie

Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

In today’s reading Festus doesn’t quite know what to do with Paul. Paul doesn’t fit into any of the categories that Festus is familiar with. I think that is what being a Catholic really is, not fitting into what the world thinks you should be. A large part of who we are as a community is our commitment to social justice. That view point is not always something the rest of the world understands, or want’s to hear about. We cause problems by speaking out against abortion, we make people uncomfortable by saying it’s not ok. We upset people by saying we need to support reforms helping immigrants. It’s usually ok to help the poor, but when we start demanding rights and fair treatment for them, we find that we’re not so popular. We cannot become discouraged however. We must live as Paul did because that is what we are called to do. At times it might be hard and scary, but it is through our devotion to the Church that we are called to be followers of Christ exactly like Paul. This passage is a true example of the Beatitude of, “blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Peter Dellatore

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Today’s Gospel (John 17:20-26) is part of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. In this section, He prays not only for His disciples, but also for those who believe in Jesus through the teachings of the Church. He prays that we be one in faith, just as He is one with the Father. He asks that we be brought to perfection and to see the glory that Jesus has been given. He hopes we will come to see the Father who is made known to us through Jesus.

This is an amazing prayer. Jesus prays for you and me personally. He makes known His love for us and His desire for us to be with Him. Incredibly, we are called the Father’s gift to Jesus. Jesus’ love for us overflows in this beautiful prayer.

We can meditate on any of the petitions in this prayer. Just think of how Jesus calls us the Father’s gift to Him or how He wants the Father’s love to be in us just as it is in Him. Jesus truly wants us to be one in Him and to share in His glory.

Jeff Rizzi

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

In the first reading Acts 20:28-38, Paul is relaying the words that since he has been there for them he has given his whole self to help them and that now he expects them to do the same for others. The line in the reading, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” sums it up very well. We should all work to give more of ourselves, because as we all know it is in giving that we receive.

In the Gospel, Jesus was asking God to give the disciples strength as God had given him and to protect them from all of the evil in the world. This ties in with what Paul was warning about in the first reading. It made me feel as though I'm never alone and that God will always be there to help me when I need him, even if he is not here on earth with me.

Erica Lorenzon

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Paul, in this reading, speaks of continuing to preach of God’s Grace, and to faith in our Lord Jesus in the face of trials and tears. Paul served the Lord with humility, being a faithful witness for both Jews and Greeks and In the face of uncertainty only wanting to continue his course and the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus.

At times it may seem our lives are full of trials and tears and we may lose sight of God’s love for us. It is these times when God is most present in us helping and carrying us through each and every day. With each trial our goal should be to continue our course to nurture our families, serve one another with humility and above all love the Lord with all your heart.

Your trial will not be more than you can handle.

Mark Kiszkiel

Monday, May 25, 2009

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.

But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
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."
John 16:31-33

Jesus knows what’s going to happen to him. And he knows that the disciples—his friends, the ones who had left their homes and their families for him, who had walked with him and called him “Teacher,” and “Lord”—will desert him during his time of trial and suffering. Can there be anything more painful than knowing that those you love the most will abandon you when you need them the most?

Yet knowing the worst, rather than reproach them Jesus offers the disciples comfort and forgiveness.

They haven’t even done it yet. But Jesus has already forgiven them. And as if forgiveness were not enough, he gives them words of comfort to remember when the time comes that they realize the extent of what they have done:

You will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.

Sometimes when we’re overwhelmed by our sins, by our guilt over what we have or have not done, we lose sight of the fact that what we have done is far less important than what Christ has done for us, or what God wants for us. Sometimes, like the Ephesian disciples in the first reading from Acts, it seems we only know that preliminary, incomplete “Baptism of John,” the “baptism of repentance,” rather than the full baptism of the Spirit which brings the peace of Christ and guarantees that we are never alone.

So whose disciple are you? John’s or Jesus’?

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Seventh Sunday of Easter

The main theme of today’s scripture readings is Christian love resulting in Christian unity. The first reading from Acts tells us how the eleven apostles as one unit, relying on the power of God, elected Matthias to replace Judas. The second reading from John’s epistle emphasizes the centrality of love in our Christian living. It tells us how the apostle deals with disunity in his church by teaching them the basis of true Christian love and unity. In Gospel, we see Jesus praying for those disciples who are sharing the meal with him. The core of Jesus’ message is love. Through the genuine act of his love, Jesus binds all disciples together into one community.

God loves us and it is God who first loved us. God doesn’t love us because we are good. God loves us because H is good. So what should we do? Love one another. We show our love for God by loving one another. What happens when we love one another? God remains in us. What happens to those who remain in love? God remains in them and they remain in God. God is love. Through God’s love, we all are united to one another. Jesus prays for this unity, just like he and his father are one. Jesus’ desire is that Christian unity should transcend all the present denominational differences and unite his followers in love. The Church must be one in the Spirit of love and holiness. Unity of Christians is necessary to convince the world of the truth of Christianity. Faced with the disunity of Christians, the world cannot see the supreme value of the Christian faith. Hence it is our duty to demonstrate that unity of love with all our fellow Christians whatever their denominations and in spite of doctrinal differences.

Fr. Pauly Thekkan

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In the first reading, Acts 18, we see Priscilla and Aquila explaining the Way of God to Apollos. In the Gospel, John 16, we are brought into a situation where Jesus is teaching his disciples.

In our daily actions we all try to follow the way of God. Each of us do this in our own way, and in many different ways. We attend mass, pray, aide the poor, treat people kindly, etc. However, from time to time we need a refresher lesson, just as Apollos did in today’s first reading. But sometimes, learning opportunities present themselves in not so formal ways and catch us by surprise. I have heard a saying that when the student is ready, the teacher arrives. We need always be ready for the teacher. We need to watch for these opportunities in all situations.

I recently had one of these learning moments. Circumstances had me attend a mass that I would normally not have attended, and it turned into a great learning experience. Our own Father Joe gave what seemed to me as an off the cuff homily on maintaining our Christian Values in a messy world. This message hit me like a hammer. I sometimes get overwhelmed with what is going on in this world, but if I maintain my Christian values I am at least doing my part and perhaps inspiring someone else to follow suit.

Keep learning.

Domenick Lorenzon

Friday, May 22, 2009

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

My reflection today is about TRUST. Trust is the firm belief or the complete confidence in the honesty and reliability of another. Trust is necessary in order to have a healthy, loving relationship with someone. Spouses need to trust one another; parents need to trust their children and children their parents; trust is needed in our friendships. But the most important relationship is between God and ourselves. God is our creator and has our best interests at heart. We must trust the Lord with our lives. If we do, we will make better life decisions and have more inner joy and peace.

Now let's reflect on Acts of the Apostles 18:9-18. Here Paul has a vision of the Lord saying, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city". Did Paul trust the Lord? Yes, he did! The story goes on to tell us, "He settled there (in Corinth) for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them". And God does indeed take care of Paul, as He promised, even when some of the Jews rise up against Paul.

We might want to reflect on the following:
Do I trust God enough to listen to His Word and live a righteous life walking down His path?
Or do I prefer to disregard the Lord and follow my own path or the paths of others? Which shall it be?

In the Gospel of John 16:20-23, Jesus tells His disciples, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy". In this life we will experience pain and suffering. When we die and go to heaven, we will have eternal life with God. The pain and suffering will be gone. Then joy, peace and the love of God will be all that we know. It will be so wondrous, that we can't even imagine!

Let us reflect:
Do I trust in God, that He will give me the strength to
live through this life?
Or do I blame Him for my suffering?
Do I have faith and hope in the Lord, that I will one day
be with Him in heaven?
Or do I live a "worldly" life without considering the
consequences?
Will I trust the Lord or not?
I will pray for the grace to do so.

Marie Perrone

Thursday, May 21, 2009

ASCENSION THURSDAY

As I read and pray about the scripture from the first reading taken from Acts, I am struck by how difficult it must have been for the disciples to say "goodbye" to Jesus once again,---first through his death, and now through his ascension into heaven. Goodbyes are never easy. But the disciples are promised that Jesus WILL indeed return, and told that their mission is to bring the Good News to all people. They cannot linger too long, gazing in wonderment at Jesus' disappearance into the skies. They have a mission to share Jesus' message, and not just keep it to themselves.

While the scriptures tell us that Jesus ascended, and was lifted from their sight, I think at that point, in a very real sense, His presence became indwelling with humanity. He travels out with us like ever-widening ripples in a pool of water. He has gone forth with us to be our companion and friend for all time. While he ascended to the Father, Jesus also took up his dwelling in our human hearts.

What also struck me from these readings are the parallels between Jesus' forty days in the desert and the forty day time frame after the Resurrection. Jesus had prepared himself to begin his ministry by
fasting and praying for forty days. In the time between his Resurrection and Ascension, he prepares his disciples to carry on that ministry. It is a very intense and formative time for Jesus' followers
prior to their reception of the Holy Spirit, and the inception of their sacred mission.

As this Easter season nears its end, let us all pray for a keen awareness of the presence of the Living God who dwells with us,--even to the end of time!

Barbara Grau

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

When you meet someone new, if you find that you have a common interest, or a common friend, all of a sudden that person seems less like a stranger to you than a friend you just haven’t met. We all feel comfortable with things that we know and are familiar with, and it’s universal to feel a little put off, or not quite at ease with things we don’t have any experience with.

What struck me in today’s reading was how Paul makes a connection with the Athenians by identifying common ground he saw in their piety. The Areopagus was near several temples built to honor a plethora or gods and goddesses. Paul being a devote Jew, would appear not to have anything in common with these people. Paul however looks beyond the surface, and focuses on their desire to connect with the creator, telling them he can identify the “unknown God” they have built a shrine to. He then introduces the idea of the one God who has created everything, the “Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything”. Paul goes on to discuss resurrection, and while not everyone buys it, some do, and become followers and converts who spread the Good News.

I’d like to think that even those who didn’t convert right away let the seed that Paul planted grow and eventually flower. The bottom line is that we are all connected, to each other and to God, we just have to look past our differences, find that common thread like Paul did, and build on it.

Carol Dellatore

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

When I first read the readings for today, I couldn’t imagine how these three readings were related. The first reading concerned Paul being flogged, thrown in prison and being freed by his jailer after an earthquake opened the cell doors. The Responsorial is a hymn of thanksgiving, and the Gospel was Christ’s farewell to the apostles before his Ascension.

Gradually, after reading and re-reading, I realized the three readings have a commonality in faith and the Holy Spirit.

Paul and Silas having preached the Good News accepted torture and imprisonment. Even after the earthquake opened their cell doors, they did not escape but reassured their jailer that they were still there. The jailer, realizing the faith of Paul and Silas, asked them how he could be saved. The jailer took Paul and Silas into his home and cared for them. He and his family were eventually Baptized and celebrated their new found faith.

The Responsorial is a hymn of faith and thanksgiving to God for all that He has done.

In the Gospel, Christ reassures his apostles that he must go in order to send the Holy Spirit to them. The Holy Spirit is the fountain of faith.

Faith is the perfect gift from God which helps us to get through even the most trying times.



Bob Kolesar

Monday, May 18, 2009

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

In Acts 16:11-15 a woman, Lydia, a worshiper of God, has her heart opened by the Lord to the words of the apostles. This made me think that even though we are all worshipers of God, our hearts are still not open to his words. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you will also testify, because you have been with me from the start.”

These words apply to us today as well. We must stand by our beliefs even though non-believers will persecute us and kill us and burn our places of worship and believe they are offering worship to God. They do not know God or Jesus and so we must take what is given to us and never waver from the faith. If we do so, we will be rewarded after death for staying true and testifying. And even if you do falter and fall from the light, the Lord will forgive you and you can find the path to Heaven again. Testifying to God can be as simple as going to Church every Sunday and praying or as involved as serving at Mass, participating in Church organizations such as bible studies, fundraising, or outreach programs.

There is so much that you can do to testify to your belief in God and it doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. In the end it all comes down to simply thanking God for everything He does for us- the little and the big.

“Praise be to God for mountains and rivers,
Thanks for the gifts of islands and trees,
Asking thee only for thy blessing,
May we all learn to live in peace.”

Risa McNellis

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sixth Sunday of Easter

John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."

__________________________________________________________
Have you ever experienced complete joy? Jesus did not say that we will be “happy” if we walked with him. He promised us JOY that is complete.

JOY in the English dictionary is defined as a feeling of great happiness or pleasure, especially of an elevated or spiritual kind. God offers us something far greater. Complete JOY does not come from what is going on around us, but what is going on within us. It does not depend on our day to day experience. It is a mindset. While happiness may come and go, JOY will always be present even when everything is not going well.

Doesn’t that sound like something we all want to achieve?
I know I would.
Don’t get me wrong. God has been good to me.
I have family and friends whom I love dearly and a life that has allowed me to experience God in so many ways. I am happy. I have joy. But I have yet to achieve complete Joy. Nowadays, where our economy is unstable and many have lost their jobs or are in fear of losing theirs, an epidemic threatening our health and our lives, death and disease, it is very difficult to even experience any kind of happiness.


So how do we find JOY in our lives?
Trust in God! Have faith in Christ. It is the message we see in every page of the Bible. John's Gospel also calls us to give ourselves freely to God and enjoy his unconditional love in order to experience JOY. When we focus on ourselves, we do not find joy. But when we focus on God, on serving Him by touching others, we will have complete and constant joy!

Lord Jesus, keep me abiding in you so that your joy may be in me and that my joy may be full. (John 15:11)

Ida Favis

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

As a child, you many have heard the old adage, “you are known by the company you keep,” from your parents as they warned you to avoid the class cut-up or neighborhood bully. Conversely, they advised, if you associate with the well-behaved or respected, teachers and those in authority will conclude that you, too, are worthy of their respect.

In today’s Gospel reading from John (Jn 15:18-21), Jesus warns his disciples that others will judge them by the company they keep, namely, the Son of God himself. These new Christians might engender hatred or persecution from the world due to their association with the Lord. However, we do not belong to this world, but the next, he reminds us, and his difficult precepts are lofty goals to which we must aspire despite the difficulty or ridicule.

You are known by the company you keep.” Followers of Jesus: can you imagine better company??

Christina Leslie

Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 15:22-31

Today, in the reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas are continuing their journey to Antioch guided by the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives.

The Holy Spirit has told Paul and Barnabas to instruct the people to abstain from sexual and dietary impurities. Paul and Barnabas' message was well received. Their faith community was delighted by the encouragement it gave them.
Let us remember to give thanks for the homilies and messages that encourage us and for the people in our lives that give us guidance and hope.


John 15:12-17

This is my commandment love one another, as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. This is a powerful message. Every second of every day men and women in the armed services are doing this for us so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have. Let us pray for them and their families and for their safety and for an end to wars. We need to also pray the peace efforts of our president, the Pope, and world leaders.

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
My command to you is to love one another. (Jn 17)

Judythe Pastras

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love (John 15:10)
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you (John 15:12)

You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:14)
This I command you: love one another (John 15:17)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we are no longer “slaves,” but “friends.” Now the word used for “slave” here isn’t actually the negative term that comes to mind—It’s the word used to describe Moses and David who were called “slaves of God,” a phrase that Paul also uses to describe himself. It’s an honor to be a slave of God. But slaves, however honored, just do what they’re told. They only know what they’re supposed to do; friends, “those whom one loves,” are offered full disclosure—they know not just what, but why. “I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.”

But with knowledge comes responsibility. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to just fall into slave mode and follow the rulebook.

Twice in today’s Gospel Jesus gives his disciples—gives us—an order. Twice he commands us to love one another.

Sounds easy. We just have to do this one thing. After all the Jews who followed Mosaic Law had over 600 rules they had to follow. How hard can this be?

Turns out it’s not so easy. Because the command is not just to be nice to one another, or to grit your teeth and “do your Christian duty” for someone you don’t particularly like. Living a life of love isn’t always easy or convenient. It means not only being willing to put others’ needs before your own, but to do so not with a sense of martyrdom, but with joy. We’re commanded to love one another as Jesus loved us. And he loved us unto death.

Pretty daunting. And nothing we can do on our own. But in Him and with the help of the Holy Spirit all things are possible. And if we stumble in our attempts—and we will—that’s OK. Jesus will be there to pick us up. After all, we’re friends.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

I will probably never be mistaken for an expert in horticulture. I’ve never had a garden and I really have no experience growing any plants, crops or flowers. The few potted plants that sit on the desk in my office have luckily survived as long as they have thanks only to the abundance of sunlight that comes through my office windows and the occasional watering, which is about the extent of my gardening ability.

We often find ourselves just as unsure of how to nurture and grow our spiritual lives as I am clueless about growing plants. But today’s Gospel reading (John 15:1-8) thankfully offers us some good news: just as I can trust in sunlight and a little water to take care of my plants, we too can trust in our Father in Heaven to help us bear fruit.

Jesus tells us that he is the true vine and God is the vine grower, who handles all of the necessary pruning and maintenance so that we, the branches, will continue to grow. Our only job, he adds, is a seemingly simple one: “whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

Of course, as we all know, this simple task can be quite a challenge. By the very nature of our humanity we often turn away from the vine and fall into sin. And when we are separated from the vine, our branches will wither, just as Jesus warns.

We all like to think at times that we are in control of our own lives and that we know what is best for us. But the Gospel shows us that we often must let go and trust that we are not the real experts when it comes to growing the vine and its branches. When we remain true to the Lord and put our faith in his hands, only then will we truly blossom and bear good fruit.

Scott Alessi

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 14:19-21

In those days, some from Antioch arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city.

After they had proclaimed the good news they made a considerable number of disciples. They returned to Antioch. There they strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God."

Georgia Eubanks

Monday, May 11, 2009

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Acts 14: 5-18

Paul and Barnabas were ordinary people, sent out by God to proclaim the Good News. We too are ordinary people used by God to be his examples to all. God places his awesome power within us to carry out his plan. This can only be done by the Holy Spirit gently leading us.

John 14: 21-26

We are given many choices in our lives. When we are in line with our Lord and follow His ways, we will then know of His Great Love. There is nothing we can do to earn this. It is completely a gift from God. He will then draw us ever closer to him. Allowing His grace and blessings to flow upon us. This really is the easy way. He waits on us to say yes to Him and no to the world. Here the HOLY SPIRIT can make each of us in Gods image. Molding us every step of the way. Revealing more and more to us. He never stops tugging on us. This is where we only first begin to experience His unconditional and unending Love!

Left on our own we are incapable of knowing God’s will for us. It is only through the actions of the Holy Spirit that we become more like Christ!!!!

Carmela Cavezza

Sunday, May 10, 2009

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Today, Sunday, May 10, 2009 – two very occasions!
Mother’s Day and the anniversary of my Dad’s birthday.

As for my Dad, he passed away in 2000, but he is alive in my heart and mind each and every day. He was an example of love and commitment to his family and his faith – a complete package!
When I visited him in his later years, I was struck by the fact that he would go to bed so early in the evening. I felt sad thinking that he was aging and his time was growing short. I eventually learned he wasn’t going to sleep at all, but he was sitting at his bedside reading his bible and saying his prayers! The image of him doing that sticks with me until today – and it makes me realize that it was an important part of who he was – no matter how prosperous or how happy he was, his life began and ended with his faith in God. He always exemplified goodness, love and truth.

Today’s second reading is from the first Letter of St. John 3:18-24
speaks very clearly about these virtues ~

Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth.
Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth
and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn,
for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence in God
and receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit he gave us.


This passage gives two important teachings. The first is a reminder that loving our neighbors includes actually doing something for them. It means getting our hands dirty. It means giving up time for them. It means making sacrifices. The kind of love that John is talking about is not a way of feeling but a practical way of life and action. Love involves giving ourselves away for the good of someone else. It is a matter of decision and will rather than emotion. That is why we can sacrifice ourselves for the love of somebody we don’t even like!

The reassurance and security that Saint John offers us are not intended to encourage arrogance or self-satisfaction. The issue is not what we accomplish, but our response to what God has accomplished in us. Our ability to relate to God and our capacity to give ourselves generously to the service of our neighbor are not our achievements but God’s gifts.

May you use those gifts wisely.

Millie Martin

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Psalm 98 says that all the ends of the earth have seen
the saving power of God!

Thank you Jesus for your saving power and for
opening my eyes and saving me!

Thank you for your Holy Spirit that you give to us
and allow to live in us!


In John 14 you say that if we ask in your name, you will give!
I claim that promise today...
Fill us up to overflowing with all that you have for us today!
Everything that we need for today you can and will give to us!
You say all that we need to do is ask in your name!
We pray that we could bring glory to you this day!
Let our lives and everything about us point to you and
bring you the glory that you desire and deserve!


Lord, this day fill us with Thanksgiving, Trust, Joy, and Peace!!
Amen!

Carla Lynch

Friday, May 8, 2009

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:26-33, John 14:1-6

In Acts 13:26-33, Paul speaks to the people about Jerusalem not recognizing Jesus and putting Him to death. Witnesses to the resurrection proclaim the good news of Jesus raised up which fulfills God’s promise to our fathers.

Are we recognizing Jesus in our daily lives? Do we see Him in the poor and discriminated, the weak and unborn? Are we putting Him to death again and again by not acknowledging His presence? We all need to be witnesses to the saving power of Christ’s passionate love for each of us.

Rejoice! God’s promise has been fulfilled! Jesus has risen…He is alive! We have been redeemed and each of us is called to proclaim this good news. As children of God, our mission is to continue Paul’s work of bringing the life and hope of Jesus to our weary world.

Lori Snyder

The Gospel of John 14:1-6 has Jesus telling us not to be troubled and that His promise is for all of us as He prepares a place for us in His Father’s house. In these times, when there is trouble all around the world, it is refreshing and joyful to know that Jesus truly loves all of us. To have died for our sins and be resurrected from the dead brings a calming influence into our lives. We know that no matter how bad situations may be those who believe in our holy leader will certainly live a good life in the heavenly kingdom. Let the last verse assure us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
Jeff Snyder

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 13:13-25 & John 13:16-20

In today’s first reading Paul gives an historical account of the Israelites and reminds those in the synagogue that God wanted them to be the chosen people. Paul lets them know where they as a people historically have been, but exhorts them to become conscious of the fact that, from their descendents, God has brought forth a savior, Jesus Christ. He tells them “John heralded his coming by proclaiming a Baptism of repentance”, and John exclaims that Jesus is the one who is coming after me and that he (John) is unworthy even to unfasten the sandals of his feet. Paul is basically saying that God, through his son Jesus Christ, is choosing them again.

In today’s Gospel of John, Jesus, having just washed the feet of his disciples, says, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, no slaves is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him”. John goes on to say that Jesus said, “I know those whom I have chosen.” We too are chosen as we have been given the gift of his ‘word’ and from that ‘word’, we have a choice, an alternative. We hear the ‘word’ often, but what do we do with it? How many more times do we have to be hit over the head with his ‘word’? It reminds me in a way of, “DEAL or NO DEAL”.
Bob McLaughlin

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

The Gospel for Dummies

Jesus cried out and said,
"Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me
sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light, so that everyone who
believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him, for I did not come to
condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day, because I did
not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me
commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me."
(Jn 12:44-50)

With these verses John ends his account of Jesus’ public teaching and presents us with a summary of those teachings—what has been called “The Essence of the Gospel.” Multiple chapters boiled down to seven verses. So what are we left with in this version of The Gospel for Dummies?

* To know and believe in Jesus is to know and believe in the Father who sent him.
* Jesus came in order to guide us out of the darkness of our sin and disbelief.
* If we believe in Him, even when we sin He will not condemn us—Jesus came not as judge but as Savior. (And if Jesus doesn’t condemn us neither does the Father!)
* God doesn’t condemn us but we can condemn ourselves by rejecting God and refusing to believe.
* To those who know and believe in Jesus and the Father who sent him, God offers eternal life.

What more do we need to know?
Natalie Borisovets

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 10:22-30

Jesus is the most important and controversial person in all human history. His name stirs up virulent hatred in some people and radical devotion in others.

Jesus claimed to be the son of God. As a result, every person on earth must decide what to do with him. He didn’t leave us the option of ignoring him or washing our hands of the matter. There are really just two choices: believe Him or reject Him.

Those who believe in Him are released from their death penalty and invited to spend eternity with God.

His sheep hear His voice. Follow Him, worship Him, share Him and most of all work for His coming. To be with Jesus face to face is our greatest hope and joy. T his life is only a breath in comparison to the time we will spend with Him in eternity.

Wilfreda de Guzman

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

What’s in a name?

Our names individualize us and make us unique. Our names are given with care by our parents. As children, they are used to call us from play or danger, to comfort us, and to cajole us when we are diminishing ourselves. As adults they identify us, call us to relationships, and are uttered in our most intimate moments.

The readings today speak of God’s calling us: the Good Shepherd lovingly calls his sheep by name, the Song of Solomon speaks of God’s longing for us, and the spirit calls Peter by name to dine with Gentiles. These readings and their depictions of being called by name recall the beautiful words of the Easter vigil and the renewal of our baptismal vows –“Blessed be God, who calls you by name, holy and chosen one!” That’s us! Can you believe it? Can anything be more intimate and personal than God calling you by name? We are not just “His people” but we are individuals with purpose. His relationship with us is one of love. Like anyone who loves a person, He accepts us but also guides us to be our best. He knows us totally and extends Himself to us in our weaknesses as well as our strengths. And in love we want to give him all that we can, knowing that He will accept us even as we fall along the way.

HEAR God call you by name. Suddenly, everything is different!

Susan Schroeder-Barda

Fourth Sunday of Easter

I confess: though a lifelong Jersey girl, the only times I have seen sheep have been while driving past the Cook College campus at 55 mph; while turning the pages in my son’s 100 Words to Grow On soft-cover children’s book; or as a squeaky-voiced hand puppet stuck on Shari Lewis’ fist. I suspect many of you fellow Sacred Heart Parish suburbanites and city dwellers have equally little experience with these wooly creatures, but today’s Gospel passage from John (Jn 10:11-18) can still speak to us.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, can be viewed as an all-knowing yet loving older brother to us sheep-like followers. He tells us, “I know mine and mine know me…I will lay down my life for the[m].” He promises to protect us from the wolves of misfortune and unite us as one family, one flock. Jesus’ voice, if we choose to listen, can serve as a clear beacon of hope by which we can guide our steps and thoughts. This Man-God, newly risen from the dead, can also lead us back to whence we came: his, and our, Father.

A loving older brother would do no less!

Christina Leslie

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

St Athanasius/Readings: Acts 9:31-42, John 6:60-69

St Athanasius was a great early Doctor of the Church. He defended Orthodoxy against those who believed that Jesus was less then the Father – the Arians. He wrote with great passion how Jesus was true God and entered the world to lead mankind back to salvation. In the readings today from the Act of the Apostles Peter heals the sick and raises Tabitha from the dead. His faith has given him power over death. And so in our lives if we truly believe we to shall have no fear of death. In John Jesus challenges the disciples? Some cannot believe he is the Son of God and leave him. Others stay and understand that his words are those of everlasting life. We too must challenge ourselves to truly believe if we are to enter into God’s Kingdom.
Al Lipovsky

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

PSALM 116

How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me!
How shall I make a return to the Lord
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the Lord. R/

My vows to the Lord I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones. R/

O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the Lord. R/
The Story of Psalm 116

We do not know who wrote Psalm 116. We call him "the psalmist". But we do know that God saved him from death. Maybe he was very ill, and in much pain, (verse 10). Maybe his enemies were trying to kill him, and this gave him pain in his mind. We call this "worry" or "grief". Perhaps he was in prison, waiting for execution. Execution is when the prison authorities kill people. They kill them because they have done something very bad. But the psalmist prayed to God and the LORD saved him.

Some Bibles make Psalm 116 into 2 psalms: verses 1-9 is the first, verses 10-18 the second. The old Greek Bible does this. But most Bible students think that Psalm 116 is just one psalm, all by the same psalmist. We do not know when the psalmist wrote Psalm 116. It is the fourth of the 6 Egyptian Hallels. The Hallels are Psalms 113-118. They are called "Egyptian" because they remember the story of God saving his people from Egypt. The story is in the Book of Exodus. But this psalm is about one man’s trouble, not the whole country. It is a "hallel" because the word "hallelujah" is in verse 19.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Friday of the Third Week of Easter & St. Joseph The Worker

The readings today speak to us of two Sacraments and their importance in our lives as followers of Our Lord. The first reading is the account of the dramatic conversion of St. Paul, an event that began the spread of Christianity throughout the ancient world. I would like to concentrate though on Paul’s baptism which is recounted after he is sent to Ananias. Paul who had been blinded by intense light when he heard the voice of Jesus, is told by Ananias that he will regain his sight and more importantly he will be “filled with the Holy Spirit” by the sacrament of Baptism. Indeed this is exactly what takes place within Paul as “things like scales fell from his eyes and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues that he is the Son of God”. Paul would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel throughout Asia Minor and Greece, even to Rome itself. Psalm 117 expresses this concept beautifully.

In John’s Gospel Jesus scandalizes his listeners during a pre- passion sermon by telling them that they will achieve eternal life by eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood, citing the story of God’s gift of Manna to the desert-wandering Israelites during the time of Moses. Of course, Our Lord is trying to tell the crowds that He will establish the sacrament of Holy Eucharist which will be His physical and spiritual presence on earth after He is ascended. Both of these readings show us that it is through these two sacraments, and indeed all the sacraments, that Jesus remains with us who have not had the benefit of actually seeing His Bodily Form when He was here on earth. These sacraments give us grace which hopefully also empowers us to “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News”.

I also must mention that May 1st is one of the feast days of my patron saint, St Joseph the Worker. I have endeavored to model my life on the foster father of Our Lord. The Gospels do not tell us a lot about Joseph but it is obvious that God selected this humble, dedicated man to be the guardian of His Son. Indeed Jesus followed St Joseph's profession of carpenter, probably working side by side with His foster father until the age of 30 when He began His ministry of Redemption. The Gospel for this feast day tells us that Jesus once again scandalized His listeners in His hometown Nazareth synagogue because he dared to teach them of His intimate knowledge of the Father and the Kingdom of Heaven. These Nazarenes could not accept that the son of their humble hometown carpenter could be anything but a simple Nazarene himself. The first two readings (there are two options for the first reading) describe Joseph's dedicated work ethic and humble obedience to God's will through analogy to God's creative work in the Book of Genesis and St Paul's description of a humble servant of Jesus in Colossians. Truly St Joseph is a model for us as we strive to answer God’s call.

Joe Grau

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

A reading from the holy
Gospel according to John (6:44-51)
Jesus said to the crowds: "No one can come to me unless the
Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert,
but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came
down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will giveis my Flesh for the life of the world."
The Gospel of the Lord.

Jesus came to do two things:
1) Forgive sins
2) Give us eternal life
By the pouring out of Jesus' blood on the cross our sins are forgiven; our sins are removed from the eyes of God never to be seen again. Without the cross, there is no forgiveness of sins. Without the resurrection we cannot have life. Because the sins of the entire world were taken away at the cross, the life Jesus gives is eternal.

By coming to Jesus for His life and trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection you have partaken of the body and blood of Jesus by "feasting" on His eternal life. If one thinks that the act of communion (drinking red wine and eating consecrated hosts) one can be saved is silly and a misunderstanding of what Jesus was really telling us. Those who do not understand these spiritual truths have not come to Him. Jesus was referring to a spiritual act, not a physical one. And it is the Spirit that gives Life. You must receive His Spirit and eternal life in order to "feast" upon Him. Those who "feast" upon Jesus abide in Him, and abide in His Word and in turn, Jesus abides in them.

How do you feast upon Jesus' blood and flesh?
Answer: By abiding in Jesus!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

Jn 5: 35-40

In today's Gospel, Jesus reveals that He is the bread of life--our hope, our sustenance, our way to eternal life. To know this and to believe in Him means never to "hunger" or "thirst" because those who believe will receive all that the Father has for us.

It's difficult in this day and age to keep our focus on what awaits us if we come to Jesus. We live very much in the age of instant gratification and seek immediate results. However, when our lives are lived in faith for those around us, sharing the love and grace Jesus gives us as well as His word, we glorify Him and feel His presence in our lives until the day when we will be with Him.

Jesus, help us when we are weak to be strengthened always by our faith in you.

Ellen Maughan

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter


The readings for today have inspired me to reflect on FAITH. What is faith? According to Webster, faith is unquestioning belief, complete trust or confidence in God. The Baltimore Catechism defines faith as the theological virtue by which we believe all that God has revealed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that faith is a personal act, which is the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself.

In the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 6), we first meet Stephen, a deacon and “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit”. “Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people”. Stephen is then accused of blasphemy and he gives a lengthy discourse on Israel’s lack of faith throughout the years.

In today’s reading (Acts 7:51-8:1), Stephen said, “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors”. Stephen is pointing out to the Jews that they have hardened hearts and closed minds. They have no faith because they do not believe that Jesus, who was crucified and rose from the dead, is the true Messiah. When Stephen accuses them of murdering Jesus, the Jews become “infuriated”.

“But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, ...said, “Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God”. The people surrounded Stephen and threw him out of the city. “As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’. Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’.” Then he died. Here we see a similarity between Stephen’s last words and the words of Jesus dying on the cross. Stephen was a true model of Jesus!

Stephen is the first martyr of the Catholic Church. He died for God and for his beliefs. This is not possible without an extremely deep faith and love for the Lord, such as Stephen possessed.

How is a deep faith possible? First, we need to have awareness and knowledge of God. Then we need to open our hearts in order to receive the gift of faith, which God offers to each and every one of us. The gift is before us, but we must open it, use it and treasure it. If the gift of faith remains in the box, it is useless.

Another aspect of faith is that it goes hand in hand with love and hope. If we have a true faith in God, it will be possible to become a more loving person. Since God is love, we will desire to grow in the image and likeness of God. Also with a true faith in God, we will have hope in the future, that is eternal life with God. If we have hope in God, nothing in this life should really matter!

There are several verses from chapter 2 in the letter of St. James, regarding faith, which I find very inspiring:

Verse 14
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?"

Verse 17
"So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Verse 26
"For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

What St.. James is saying, is that just as the spirit gives life to the body, so too good works give life to faith.

To love God we must pray sincerely, give Him thanks always, willingly accept our suffering and unite it with Christ's suffering and do everything joyfully in the name of God. To love others we must be kind, helpful, thoughtful, patient, generous and self-sacrificing. When we perform these actions willingly, we have a deep, loving faith; a faith that will bring us to everlasting life with God.

So where are you on your faith journey? Are you in need of some changes? Perhaps this would be a good time to move forward.

Marie Perrone

Monday, April 27, 2009

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6: 22-29

This reading takes place after Jesus has done the multiplication of the fishes and bread. The next day the crowed cannot find him. So they go to Capernaum and find him. Jesus answers them that they are looking for him because he feeds them in earthly food which perishes. But that they should be looking for the eternal food which is looking to eternal life with God and doing his work now on earth. Caring for the poor, hungry, widow and orphans.

Marilyn Harmyk

Sunday, April 26, 2009

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Luke 24:35-48

Fear will prevent us from seeing the truth.

The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and were afraid and could not believe that it was really Jesus. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and showed them his hands and feet and said, "look... touch me.... " but they were still incredulous because they were afraid. Fear was blocking their capacity to understand, to reason, to see the evidence. Years back in a retreat I learned that fear is the opposite of love because "Perfect love casts away all fear."

Love must be the power that governs and dictates our actions because when we act in fear we are not acting in a Christ like manner. Now this does not mean that as Christians we should never be afraid, that would be nice. What I am saying is that even in our fear we must ask God for the grace to be like Christ, to act with love. It's no coincidence that it is John, the disciple that Jesus loved, the first one to believe in the resurrection without having to see Jesus resurrected.

Lord give us the loving grace to be able to see you, to know you, and to look for you, even in our fear.

Nelson Torres

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

God favors the humble over the proud. It is in surrendering our troubles to his care and trusting in him that we are free and empowered to know his love. God knows that we all suffer and there is comfort in this. No matter what we may each have going on in our lives, we all have our challenges, insecurities, and hardships. However, the Lord has us in his care if we are humble enough to accept him. “The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.”

We are called to not be afraid. We are called to trust. We are called to cast our own burdens aside and take up the Lord’s challenge: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” It is when we are no longer concerned with ourselves and our own personal worries that we are free to do God’s work. “They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.”

-Matt Funk

Friday, April 24, 2009

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

JN 6:1-15

Come to the house of the Lord and be satisfied. It doesn't matter how large or small the number, all are welcome into his house. All will leave satisfied, regardless of their difficulties. It is important to believe in the power of the Lord to provide for his flock. All problems may seem insurmountable but in his house they can be resolved and dealt with. Just believe in the power of the Lord. Have faith in His love, mercy and ability to heal and provide. While not necessarily material undoubtedly spiritually.

Ron Czachowski

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

Acts 5:27-33

29: But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

We cannot expect to be redeemed and healed by Christ, unless we give up ourselves to be ruled by him. Peter and the Apostles were persecuted for teaching God’s word, but their faith and love towards God allowed them to find peace in the fact that it was better to obey God and Not man. God is what sustains us, and in these last days we too are persecuted and mocked because of our beliefs, we are mocked because we do God’s will and choose to live a holy and just life before the eyes of God. Today like Peter we can stand firm and say it is better to obey God before men and earthly rulers because we have a hope in Christ our Savior that through his Son we will have Eternal Life. Knowing that all the things good and bad that we experience in our earthly lives can’t compare to the promises we have in God, Standing firm in our beliefs and obeying God Above all things will one day give us our Greatest Reward!

John 3:31-36

36: The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who disobeys the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
What a wonderful promise to know that because we believe in the Son of God, we will have eternal life. Yet it remains that we have to live a just and pure life before our God, each day a new dedication and new commitment needs to be made with God. We need to make sure that we are always in the right path; and that our hearts are pure and open to always obey God’s word and always hold his promises in our hearts. (this is not always easy) We need to increase in our faith through our trials and tribulations and be watchful not to offend God when things do not turn out the way we want. We must be open to his will daily seek his forgiveness so that we too can partake of this Eternal Life!
Psalm 34:2
My soul shall make boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear and rejoice.

David promises to persistently praise his God (based upon a personal specific event in his life). He is committing himself to the praise of God at every opportunity and in the midst of mind spirit and body. Just as we are to pray without ceasing and constantly in all circumstances. Praise can be private or public worship with the congregation. Praise him with music and song, expose your soul to the power of sacred music and at all times we must be uplifted and inspired. We must also take time to notice and praise God daily for the goodness in out lives.

Prayer is the key to each morning and the lock to every evening. A famous holy man of our time once said “prayer is the sacred alliance between God and us, and, in order to be delivered from the clutches of the prince of darkness, we have to choose either to ally ourselves with the forces of evil, or the forces of good. Daily prayer praising God will add something new to our lives of which there is no equivalent to be found anywhere”.


Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
The fear of the lord is the basis of a relationship between God and man. God is described as being near the brokenhearted. His eyes and ears are ever attentive to the cries of the righteous .The righteous trust in the Lord as evidence by their cries to him for deliverance, they are humble and brokenhearted, the contrite spirit are dependable upon God as David was looking to him for deliverance rather than trusting in his own strength. Heart break always presupposes love other people can infuriate you - annoy you – disappoint you, falsely accuse you, but no one can break your heart except the one you love. To lose a loved one is extremely sorrowful. To bring a child to life to want the best for the child, to pray for him or her every day, to work hard and find the child chooses the worst this is heartbreaking. I know a Mother has to teach her child not only to walk but to walk away. St Paul says when God looks for love – joy – peace – kindness - patience forbearance - courtesy and self- control in our lives and when he does not find these things he too is brokenhearted.


Psalm 34:9
O fear the lord ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Those who fear the Lord are not only assured of God’s protection in the adversities of life, but will be plenty rewarded. When David sinned through his deception and violence, it revealed that he had allowed his fear of God to wane, replacing it with the fear of Man. God graciously delivered David not due to his righteousness, but because of his relationship in response to God’s merciful deliverance. With David’s humble petition for deliverance, God was moved with pity and answered David’s cry. His fear of the Lord was renewed, as a result he could not only praise God, but he also shared what he had learned with others urging them to experience the blessings of God in a richer and fuller way. God is gracious, he has chosen to use fallible men (like David and Peter) to serve and to worship him, yet it is often through our failures, that the greatest lessons of life are learned, yet what we can do is to praise God with them for his gracious deliverance. We should learn from David that God is a gracious deliverer for us as well.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.


Psalm 34:17 34:19
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth them from all.

In our lonely lives, we sometimes think when we have grey days and dark nights that God has forgotten or abandon us. The righteous must expect affliction in life He knows about our pain and suffering and betrayal and misunderstandings. There is no pain of mind , soul of spirit of the body that we have endured that God has not experienced. God does deliver he promises the righteous will not suffer. He will keep us in our affliction, and he will ultimately deliver us from all adversity in his own time. Those who fear the Lord are not only assured of God’s protection in the trials and adversities of life but are also kept from divine retribution and wrath. We must remind ourselves that if we were the only human being he would love us as if there were no one else on earth, and is willing to die again for us (regardless of race or status in life) so that we wont be lost, and only by faith and a contrite heart will God deliver us from our afflictions. Oh God, for you are my God, for you I long for you; my soul is thirsting.


Rose Marie Marlin