The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | USCCB

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. With Christ as the center of who they were, Mary and Joseph were obedient to the Law of the Lord. They knew that God was the center of who they were as a family.

In the 2nd reading from the Office of Readings for today, we read a reflection from Pope St. Paul VI. He says, "Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ's life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal of the way God's Son came to be known, profound yet full of hidden meaning. And gradually we may even learn to imitate him."

Pope St. Paul VI would go on to describe the difficulties the Holy Family faced during that time in history. He goes on to say, "Here we can learn the importance of spiritual discipline for all who wish to follow Christ and to live by the teachings of the Gospel."

The Holy Family lived out their lives in obedience to God's Holy Will, no matter what the challenges were. Importantly, they kept God's Laws in the center of who they were. This is an example of how we are to live out our lives: keeping God's Law (as we understand them through our Catholic Faith). By doing so, no matter the difficulties we face, we will have the peace of knowing that God is present to us in all our struggles. 

Another part of Pope St. Paul's reflection that touches me and helps me to remain focused on God's love for me and my family, is where he says, referring to the Holy Family in Nazareth, "First, we can learn from its silence. If only we could once again appreciate its great value. We need this wonderful state of mind, beset as we are by the cacophony of strident protests and conflicting claims characteristic of these turbulent times." It seems that the "turbulent times" are still with us. It is through the gift of Holy Silence that we can be open to the promptings to what God is attempting to tell us. Further, through silent prayer we can pray for peace in all the "hot spots" of the world.

During this time of transition from the old year to the new year, let's make time to be quiet and to be in the presence of God, meditating on His love for us and remembering that God is always present to us, no matter the struggles we may be facing.

Let us also pray for those suffering in the Holy Land that peace may come, and people of all faith backgrounds may have a greater understanding for each other and a mutual love and respect that God intends for all people, no matter their background.

Going from Gospel to life & life to Gospel

 

We have a guest blogger today. Arlene B. Muller (Arlene Clare Muller, OFS) is a lector and EM at St. Pancras Church in Glendale, NY, a singer in the choir at St. Margaret's Church in Middle Village, NY, a professed Secular Franciscan & Formation Director at St. Adalbert's Secular Franciscan fraternity in Elmhurst, NY & an itinerant speech/language therapist who works with preschool children with delayed language development. In addition to her ministries & work she seeks to promote the GOSPEL & the GOSPEL OF LIFE, especially in writing & frequently on FACEBOOK.

I am dealing with an unexpected spiral of medical issues. A little white spot on my gum below one of my lower teeth detected in July by the dental hygienist & dentist during a routine semiannual dental exam turns out to be squamous cell carcinoma in situ, one step before cancer, that requires removing teeth, scraping my gums & some bone underneath, a skin graft, temporary dentures & recovery time of several weeks. 

Heart symptoms related to stress about a mix-up concerning medical clearance led to a CAT SCAN with contrasts of my heart that shows some coronary artery disease that needs to be investigated via an angiogram in order to determine if it is safe for me to have the surgery which requires general anesthesia. One little thing leading to another & then another and... that requires my consent to a situation out of my control, which is scary. 

Of course, I need to remember that although this feels like it's spiraling out of my control (and I like to be in control), GOD is still in control & present with me & working this out for my good & His glory & to be grateful that problems are being detected early, hopefully to keep me alive & fruitful for years to come!

I am reflecting on how saying YES to becoming the Mother of Our LORD led Our Lady (& also St. Joseph) to some unexpected situations spiraling out of their control: how Joseph would react to her pregnancy (which GOD took care of through the Angel Gabriel in Joseph's dream), having to travel miles/kilometers on the rough & bumpy roads to Bethlehem during the last stage of her pregnancy, finding no room to stay except a cave or stable surrounded by animals that needed to be cleaned up before she could give birth, fleeing to Egypt (probably in the middle of the night. 

Being without sin from the moment of her conception probably helped Our Lady to trust GOD more than anyone else would, but she was still a human being who probably had some anxious moments that she dealt with as she pondered all these things in her heart. 

So having to choose to trust GOD over & over again when sometimes it feels as if life is unraveling is something I have to do & I can look to the example of Our Lady & follow my motto as a Secular Franciscan as "going from Gospel to life & life to Gospel".

Pax et Bonum,

Arlene

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Third Week of Advent | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear the beautiful Magnificat that Mary proclaimed in response to Elizabeth saying to Mary, "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." (Luke 1:45) In this beautiful scene we can first see that John the Baptist, still in Elizabeth's womb, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, then Elizabeth, through the power of the Holy Spirit acting through John in her womb, recognizes that Mary is carrying the Messiah in her womb. Further, Mary, in her humility glorifies God and proclaims the greatness of the Lord.

Both Elizabeth and Mary allowed God to work through them to bring salvation to the world. Elizabeth, learning from the infant in her womb, pointed towards the fact that Mary was carrying the Messiah in her womb. Elizabeth says to Mary, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Luke 1:42)

The examples of Elizabeth and Mary serves to remind us that we are always to be open to God in our lives, no matter how difficult the situation that we're facing seems. Mary, a teenage woman, engaged to be married, but not yet with her husband, gives her "fiat", her "yes", to be the mother of the Messiah, even though it would create potential problems for her. She trusted God to work through her, no matter what the cost may be.

Elizabeth, in her old age, was also open to God's will in her life and, as a result, was able to conceive John the Baptist, who, even in Elizabeth's womb, was able to point towards Jesus as Messiah.

In our lives we are, like Mary and Elizabeth, are called to be open to God's will. We are called, like Mary, to bring Christ into the world to other people in our lives. Mary, during her visit to Elizabeth, was a walking tabernacle: carrying Jesus in her womb. When we receive Jesus at Holy Communion, are walking tabernacles, carrying Jesus from the church to the people we meet during our day or week after going to Mass.

Elizabeth, along with John, was able to recognize that Mary was blessed among women, and the fact that fruit of her womb is the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. We, as Catholic Christians, are called to love and cherish Mary as the Mother of God, Jesus, our savior. We are called to honor her for her "yes" in bringing salvation to the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us, like Mary, bring Jesus into the world that needs to know that He is savior, and, like Elizabeth, point to Mary as blessed among women.

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord…

 

The following is a reflection I submitted to my Lay Carmelite Chapter for use in their December 2023 newsletter. I hope you enjoy it:

“For today in the city of David asavior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord…” Luke 2:11

As we approach that beautiful day of the Nativity of the Lord, I am meditating on the words that we hear at midnight mass: “For Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” (Luke 2:11) These words recall the often-quoted phrase: “He’s the reason for the season!” Jesus Christ, fully God as the second person of the Trinity, humbled himself to come into the world for our salvation and forgiveness of sins. Jesus, as we know and understand, is fully God and fully human. He’s like us in all things but sin.

As we go about the different things we do during this busy time of year, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus Christ, born humbly in a stable in Bethlehem. The Advent and Christmas season is not about Christmas parties and exchanging gifts (as nice as that all is): it’s about looking towards the Christ-Child and our relationship with Him and with each other.

As Jesus matured in His manhood and started bringing the love and forgiveness of God during His earthly ministry, His focus was on teaching us that we are to love God with our whole mind, heart, and soul, and we are to love others as we love God. Keep that in mind during this busy and hectic time leading up to Christmas. Christ is the center of who we are as Christians, and we are to love all those that God has placed into our lives.

Merry Christmas.

But wisdom is vindicated by her works

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Second Week of Advent | USCCB

In our gospel for today Jesus is pointing out the negativity that people felt towards Him and John the Baptist. Both Jesus and John always seemed to be at odds with those in authority.

For John, with his austerity, just seemed extreme to those who saw him by the Jordon River baptizing people who wanted to turn from their sinfulness. John was calling the Pharisees hypocrites and “broods of vipers.” He saw their hypocrisy. Further, with his strange appearance of wearing camel’s hair clothes and strange diet of locust and wild honey, they just thought he was extreme. John was teaching about repentance from sin and to be ready for the coming of the messiah. John was reminding people that they needed to turn from their selfish way of living and turn back to love of God and love of neighbor. Further, as the forerunner of Jesus, John very clearly pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” John’s whole ministry was to bring people into relationship with God by pointing out that Jesus was their Messiah. This made people feel uncomfortable! No one liked being told they are living a sinful life and need to repent and turn away from sin to be obedient to God’s commandments.

Then Jesus comes along and, after being baptized by John in the Jordon, was going to the homes of public sinners like tax collectors and healing people with diseases by forgiving their sins, along many other public signs that caused those in authority to ask, “How can this be the Messiah? He’s eating and drinking with tax collectors and prostitutes?” and “He’s speaking blasphemy by forgiving their sins.” Jesus’ way of bringing people to repentance was to be with them and to show the love and forgiveness of God for everyone, whether they’re a great sinner or not. Jesus’ message of love and repentance was attractive to those who felt alienated from God by the Scribes and Pharisees. Further, by forgiving their sins, he was showing His authority as Son of God to be able to forgive the sins of those who came to him for forgiveness and to bring them into relationship with God. The Scribes and Pharisees saw only a Man. They were unable to see him for who he truly was: the Messiah: True God and True Man.

As we journey through Advent towards the birthday of the Lord on Christmas day, we are to imitate John the Baptist by pointing others in our lives to turn to Jesus. We, too, are to say to those in our lives that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Further, we, like Jesus, are to be loving with those who may be distant or away from God for whatever reason they may have. Jesus loves them regardless of their being away from Him and His Church.  We are to encourage them to come back into relationship with God by seeking forgiveness and healing in the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. It is by our encouragement to all people to come back to relationship with God during this Advent and Christmas season that we can help them receive the love, peace and forgiveness that can only come from Jesus Christ.

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB

Today the church commemorates the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, sinless from the very first moment of her conception in her mother’s womb. Many people mistakenly think that this feast commemorates Mary conceiving Jesus in her womb, but that’s not the case at all. It is the moment in her mother, Anna’s womb, that Mary is conceived. Counting forward to 9 months you will see that it’s September 8^th, the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Pius IX on December 8^th, 1854 declared that, "The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin." 

We see in our gospel for today that, due to these graces, Mary was willing to fulfill the call to be the Mother of God. We first hear the Angel Gabriel say, “Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary is startled at first by this visit from Gabriel. Then, Gabriel explained that she had been chosen to be the Mother of the saviour. She was at first unsure what that meant. But, as soon as Gabriel explained how it was to come about, Mary said very willingly, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary, because of the grace given to her by God at her conception, was willing and ready to do what was asked of her by the Angel Gabriel.

We, too, are called to be open to bringing Christ into the world today as Mary did more than 2,000 years ago. Mary had the privilege of being without sin due to the grace of her immaculate conception, but we, as Catholic Christians, are able to gain the graces needed to bring Christ into the world. First, through the gift of the sacrament of confession, we receive forgiveness of our sins and then we receive the graces necessary to bring us closer to God. Then, with each time we receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we leave the church to bring Christ into the world as Mary did those many years ago.

One name for Mary is Theotokos, which means Christ-bearer. We, too, once we receive Holy Communion, become Christ-bearers, called to bring Christ to all those we meet once we leave the church.

As we leave church, let us be grateful for the “yes” that Mary gave to be the Mother of God. And let us also say “yes” in bringing Christ into this world that needs to know the love, peace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear Jesus pointing out the different ways we can see and experience the presence of God at work in the world. Pointing out the blossoming of the fig tree the Lord says, "...when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near." (Luke 21:30) Our Lord is reminding us that God is ever present around us and we need to take time to always live in the presence of God. 

There's an old saying that goes, "Take time to smell the roses." Very often we go through our lives worrying about the things we need to get done. We worry about getting to work on time, we worry about the bills that need to be paid, we worry about our spouses or our children, so on and so forth. Further, especially during the month of December, we are so worried about getting thing ready for Christmas. There are the Christmas parties throughout the month, there's the Christmas shopping we feel we need to get done. There's always something that needs to be done and as a result it takes our attention away from the real reason for our lives and why we celebrate Christmas: the presence of God in the form of Jesus Christ born into the world for our salvation. 

As we go through the busyness of our lives, whether it's preparing for Christmas celebrations or whatever else we worry about, take time out to be quiet and alone with the Lord. Take the scripture readings that are assigned for each day, find a quiet time and place to sit and read, and just make time for God, knowing that God is near to you as you read from scripture. That will help you to focus on the true reason for the season: Jesus Christ. This will give you the true peace that can come from remembering that God is not only near but living in your heart. 

My house shall be a house of prayer

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of the Lord driving out those that were selling in the temple. What these people were selling were usually pigeons and doves that people would use to offer sacrifice to the Lord God. But these sellers were taking advantage of the people that needed these animals for their sacrifice. The sellers were overcharging for these animals that the people needed for their sacrifice. They weren’t interested in true prayer and worship but rather in making a profit at the expense of the people. Further, the focus become more on buying the animal for sacrifice rather than on worshiping God in the temple. The focus should always be on having God as the center of our worship, not on buying something to bring to the altar for sacrifice.

Let us ask ourselves: when we enter Church: are we focused on developing a closer relationship with God? Or do we allow other things in our lives distract us from being focused on praising God? Entering church, we need to be focused on developing a closer, loving relationship with God. If we come into church with cares and worries that may be part of our lives, place them at the foot of the altar. Don’t allow these cares and worries to distract your attention from worshiping God. Our Lord doesn’t want us to be thinking about what we need to do once we leave or about the problems we may be facing. He wants us to be present to him and to offer all our cares into his loving arms. These cares and worries can be like those sellers that steal our attention from God and prevents us from growing closer to Him.

Our cares and concerns about our own problems are the sacrifices that we need to bring before God each time we enter church to pray, or even during our private time at home in prayer. Placing our cares and concerns into God’s loving hands is a beautiful sacrifice that God will be pleased with. He will bring us peace and comfort once we say, “Lord, I trust in you.”

Regarding prayer, Pope Saint John Paul II said, “In prayer you become one with the source of our true light – Jesus Himself.”

May God’s love and peace always surround us during our times in prayer, whether at church or at home. And may we have that peace that can come only from God through Jesus Christ.

So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious | USCCB

The readings of these days speak of the 'end times' as we bring the liturgical year to a close. We can use them as an opportunity to recognize who we are and where we are going: We all are created by God and are being drawn to live fully with God.

In our gospel for today, the Lord is talking about what it will be like upon his return at the end of time and was comparing it with other events that happened in the Old Testament. Jesus mentions about how people during the time of Noah were more concerned about their sinful activity than turning towards God. They were living lives that were sinful and selfish. They had no interest in obeying the commandments of God. Our Lord also mentions the time of Sodom, where the people were more interested in their sinful activity than obeying the commandments of God. As in the days of Noah with the flood and with the fire and brimstone in the time of Sodom, people suffered punishment for living lives contrary to the commandments of God.

Our Lord goes on to say in today’s gospel, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” What our Lord is trying to teach us in this is that, while we are to live responsible lives by taking care of our families and paying our bills, we are to have God in the center of all we do. As we go through our days doing the things, we need to do in order to survive and be happy, we will find true happiness in placing our lives into the loving hands of God. God will always be there to help us and guide us in times of trouble and good time. In all we do we need to do it with the love of God as the center who we are and the love of those who God has placed into our lives.

The ‘end gospels' call on us to trust. Losing and saving our lives is in the hands of God as is all else. Trust is the big call of every relevant relationship. Prayer is a gateway to growth in trust in God.

XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Today we have a recurring guest blogger:  Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, pastor of PRESENTATION OF THE B.V.M CHURCH, PORT EWEN AND SACRED HEART CHURCH, ESOPUS. For more information on this parish, check out their website at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Sacred Heart Churches - Port Ewen - Esopus, NY (presentationsacredheart.org) 

Submission to the blog of Dcn. Thomas Tortorella for XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Rev. Fr. Arthur F. Rojas © All Rights Reserved by Rev. Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, November 7, 2023 ©

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Recently, I met a Freemason while at a luncheon away from our parish. As I identified the Masonic pin on the lapel of his suit jacket, when I asked what church he belonged to, his first answer was that he believed in God. I replied that while the Freemasons acknowledged the existence of a Supreme Being, that being is not the God of Christian revelation, especially when that being is understood in Deistic terms or with mixtures of pagan, esoteric, and Christian themes. Furthermore, it is said that in Masonic rituals, the Holy Bible, the Qur’an, and the Torah are given equivalent honor. Although he was not a Catholic Christian, I questioned what the founders of his Protestant denomination would think of a sect that acknowledged divine inspiration of Sacred Scripture outside the Holy Bible (remember that the Torah itself is composed of the first five books, but only five, of the Old Testament). To avoid prolonging the encounter, I did not point out how the Masonic lodges eagerly supported efforts to oppose, persecute, and even exterminate the Catholic Church going into the 20th century, such as in Mexico.

If we are not careful or discerning, our search for wisdom and even for God Himself as set forth by the first two readings at Mass in the Ordinary Form today, could lead us to confusing mere knowledge, even esoteric knowledge, for wisdom or even beneficial contact with God. When the Freemason told me that he knew Catholics who belonged to Masonic lodges, I conceded the point glumly. However, I pointed out that Catholics who join Freemasonry incur mortal sin due to the above errors of the Masons and because of the Masonic oath involved in joining their lodges. Although there are those who cite the 1983 Code of Canon Law discontinuing the excommunication that applied to Catholics since 1738 who were Freemasons as somehow allowing Catholics to join their company, as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in that same year Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI of blessed memory, with the approval of St. John Paul II, reiterated that Masonic membership and ritual activity by a Catholic are irreconcilable with the Catholic faith and thus casts him in mortal sin and unable to receive Holy Communion. Cf. No sincere Catholic should join the Masons, Fr. William P. Saunders, Arlington Catholic Herald, Jan. 30, 2013, via www.catholicherald.com Perhaps the Mason whom I met thought that at the end of his life, his search for “light” would lead him to the “celestial lodge.” Let us recall the Lord’s words to the foolish virgins in today’s Gospel (Mt 25:11-12), “Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us! But He said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.” Perhaps the Lord put me in that Mason’s path to shed true light on the state of his soul and to invite him to reconsider with what “oil” he fuels his candle of life. As for Catholics, these reasons above are only a partial listing – even if a Catholic claims to join Freemasonry or its variations mostly or solely for professional, charitable, or social uses – why no sincere Catholic can become a Freemason and why no impenitent Freemason can be a Catholic in good standing in this life, let alone regarding eternity.

Thus, I aspire to proclaim the Gospel of Christ

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church | USCCB

In our first reading for today’s mass, we return to the Letter of Paul to the Romans. In today’s reading Paul mentions about being a minster of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. There were those in the time of Paul who thought the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was meant to be the savior only for the Jewish people. But, as Paul discovered as he grew in his ministry and relationship with God, is that the message of Christ’s Salvation is open to all people. Not only to the Jewish people, but to all people.

We, too, like Paul, are called to bring the love of Christ to all people. Christ came into the world to bring the love and salvation of God not only for a select few, but for all people. He came into this world to bring all people into relationship with God and that salvation which is the forgiveness of our sins. Christ is calling ALL people, Jews & Gentiles alike, into that relationship with God that allows us to not only show love towards God but also to our neighbor.

Earlier in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, in chapter 13, we hear Paul remind us of that great commandment of God: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Paul says, “Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10)

During the next few weeks, we will start preparing for family get-togethers at Thanksgiving and for Christmas. These can be challenging times that will bring people together that we may not really get along with, whether they be family or friends. But as Paul reminds us of the teaching of Christ, we are to love one another and we are to do no evil towards those that may be difficult to get along with. “Love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Further, during this holiday season, let us remember those who may not be as fortunate as we are. There will be those who will not have family or friends during Thanksgiving or Christmas. Let’s reach out to those who may be alone this season and bring the love and joy of this season. It’ll allow them to feel the love and joy of Christ that Paul is teaching us. We can do this by donating food to places that will serve those in need, or by donating money to those charities that serve the poor and hungry. By doing so, we are bringing Christ’s love into a world that needs to know of His peace and love.

"Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?

 

Scripture readings for today can be found at Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In the continuing conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus, we see another example of how the Pharisees were looking more legalistically at following the law of keeping holy the sabbath to the exclusion of helping those in need. The message from Jesus is that by helping those in need during the sabbath is not in violation of this commandment of the sabbath.

All throughout Jesus’ ministry on earth, his focus was to bring people to salvation and to help them know that God is a loving and caring God, worried about their health and well-being. Jesus, in other parts of scripture, when asked about what the greatest commandment is, responded, “The first commandment is: You shall love the Lord God with your whole mind, heart and soul; and the 2^nd is like the first: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:34)

Looking at this gospel through the focus of our Catholic Christian tradition, we are to learn that, yes, it’s important and a priority, even an obligation, to attend Holy Mass every Sunday, and to avoid any unnecessary work. But there are times when we may have a sick spouse, relative or child that would prevent us from attending Sunday mass. Considering Jesus’ question, "Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?" I would say that the focus would be on the helping and healing of your sick loved one. By being present to someone who is sick, whether during the week, or on a Sunday, that, too, can be your worship of God. By serving the needs of those who are sick and in need of your presence, you are serving God, and this, too, is a form of worship.

Being present to a sick person during their time of need is an ideal time to not only make sure they are receiving the medical help they need, but during the quiet time of being present with this loved one,  you can offer your prayers for their healing, and to place their health concerns into the loving hands of God to respond in a way that is best for their needs. By doing so, you are fulfilling your obligation of keeping holy the sabbath.

Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today the friction continues between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes. They thought that they could trap Jesus with the question, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" According to Jewish law, there are 613 commandments to be followed So this list goes well beyond the 10 Commandments that we, as Catholics, follow. This list has laws for every aspect of life, from worship and praise of God, to how you are to treat our neighbors (both Jewish and Gentiles), down to the dietary laws that observant Jews were expected to follow.

Jesus, as an observant Jew, knew these laws well. But he rightly pointed out that the reason for these laws is to love God with our whole being: mind, body and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These laws point out that we are to love all people, both those we know within our own faith community, and those people that may appear to be different from us and may believe differently than we do. We are to love all people no matter what our differences may be. It's very challenging. But it's what we are called to do. 

As we go throughout our day today and the week ahead, let us remember this law of love from Jesus. God is always to be the center of who we are. Living always in the presence of God is what we are to strive to do. And when we encounter other people during the week, in addition to those in our family, we are to treat them with love and respect. Every encounter with another person is an encounter with someone made in the image and likeness of God. It is challenging, but it's what we are called to do. We need to treat others as we would treat Christ. 

There will be times when we encounter someone that is difficult to get along with. It's okay to distance yourself from that person, but then, as you do so, pray for that person and his/her intentions. We never know what that person may be going through that makes them difficult to get along with us, but praying for them is always the best way to respond and the right way to show them love and respect.

Lord Jesus Christ, help us to live out your commandment of love of God and of neighbor in all we do. Amen

Lord, teach me your statutes

 

Scripture readings for this meditation can be found at Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

The response in our Responsorial Psalm for today, “Lord, teach me your statutes” is a prayer that I’m sure St. Paul prayed often. Having God’s law in our hearts to help us lead a life in the fullness of God’s love is something that we should all strive to have.

In our first reading from St. Paul to the Romans we hear of Paul’s struggles to live out the statutes of God. He’s willing and anxious to do the good that God wants him to do but goes on to admit that temptation to turn away from God is always ever present. Paul says, “For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.” (Romans 7:19) Sometimes the temptation to turn away from God can be overpowering. There are so many temptations that can be hard to resist. There are the sins of the flesh, there are the sins of love of money, material wealth and power, plus so many other things that can take our focus away from the commandments of God.

As we continue to read from Paul to the Romans, he says that even though “evil is at hand,” he indicates that “I take delight in the law of God in my inner self.” (Romans 7:22) Like Paul, we all struggle with those temptations to sin which separate us from God. Paul struggled, but he always turned back to God in order to make amends to the Creator and to ask for forgiveness and attempt to be better in his relationship with Christ.

We are called to imitate Paul in always turning back to God even when we sin. The Lord Jesus Christ has provided us a beautiful way to seek out forgiveness of sins and to be healed of those sins that haunt us. It is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) that we can turn back to Christ during those times when we gave into the temptation to sin. We are turning back to God and asking for forgiveness, and through the absolution from the priest, we receive healing to be able to go back into the community to attempt to live out a life of service to God and love of our neighbor. We try our best not to sin again, but thankfully the door to the sacrament of confession is always available. Going to confession doesn’t mean you won’t sin again; it just helps you to grow closer to God and helps you to get that strength to avoid those temptations to sin again. Whether during the regularly scheduled time for confessions on Saturday afternoon, or anytime during the week when you see a priest just let him know you want to go to confession, and he’ll arrange to see you in order to bring you God’s love and forgiveness.

Mother St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Only to confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinners without sin.”

Lord Jesus, have mercy on us!

Beware of the leaven – that is, the hypocrisy-of the Pharisees

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Being a follower of Jesus Christ is challenging. It means that we need to be totally honest with all those we deal with in our lives, whether in a Church setting or in our dealings with those in our lives. This saying of Jesus reminds me of the old saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” In all we do and say in our lives should be reflections of our Christian beliefs and the fact that we are, indeed, followers of Jesus Christ. It’s not easy.

We need to ask ourselves: in all our dealings with those in our lives, can people really see that we are Christians? Do we say one thing to people’s faces, and then gossip about them behind their backs to others? Further, are we judging people for not following the Church’s teachings on love of God and love of neighbor, while we ourselves have people in our lives that we really don’t like? These are examples of the hypocrisy that Jesus is talking about. It would take some soul searching to explore our feelings towards others and attempt to see in others the image of God. We are to always be honest, truthful, and loving with all we meet in our lives, whether at church, in our family or in our day-to-day contacts with people in our daily routines. We are to avoid being hypocritical and be open, honest, and loving with all we encounter.

Furthermore, if there are people that we have in our lives that are difficult to deal with, and we are on the verge of saying something inappropriate, the best thing to do is to step away from that person and not say anything. Another old saying is, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it.” Just pray for that person that may be pressing your buttons and walk away from him or her.

Our Lord concludes in today’s gospel with some very comforting words about God’s presence in our lives. After mentioning that God notices the sparrows being sold, He goes on to say that we are worth more than those sparrows. Further, our Lord tells us that even the hairs of our head have been counted. That’s how much the God the Father loves all of us!!! And we are to take that love of God to all others we encounter by treating them with the same love that God has for all of us. It’s challenging to realize that everyone is loved by God, but it’s how are to look at them. We are to live always in the presence of God and to show that love of God always. Be always open and honest in our love for God and for each other.

Our prayer for today and always should be, “Lord, help us to love you above all else, and to love those you placed in our lives as you have loved us. Amen.”

World Mission Sunday: Are we in mission territory?

 

Today we have a recurring guest blogger:  Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, pastor of PRESENTATION OF THE B.V.M CHURCH, PORT EWEN AND SACRED HEART CHURCH, ESOPUS. For more information on this parish, check out their website at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Sacred Heart Churches - Port Ewen - Esopus, NY (presentationsacredheart.org) 

Submission to the blog of Dcn. Thomas Tortorella for World Mission Sunday

by Rev. Fr. Arthur F. Rojas © All Rights Reserved, October 19, 2023 ©

World Mission Sunday: Are we in mission territory?

By Fr. Arthur F. Rojas © All rights reserved personally by Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, Oct. 19, 2023 ©

It seems to me that if and when most Catholics think about the missions, the missions are regarded for places far away in geography, socioeconomic development, and culture. Certainly, the second collections for the Church where she is materially poor in various areas of the world or even in certain communities of our vast country may foster that perception. When a cleric or religious brother/friar shares vignettes of missionary time abroad in his preaching at our churches, that sense may be reinforced. We may be led further by the long history of the Catholic Church in New York state, as reflected by the ultimate sacrifice made by the North American Martyrs at Auriesville centuries ago along with the contemporaneous life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha and further presence of saints such as Ss. John Neumann and Frances Xavier Cabrini, to say nothing of the remaining (and/or no longer present) Catholic institutions lining Route 9W in the mid-Hudson Valley, once called “Catholic Alley,” including the Redemptorists fondly remembered by many Catholics locally.

However, honesty requires us to look deeper. It is statistically evident that the pandemic and its aftereffects have diminished what was already a minority percentage of local Catholics – let alone Catholics in America – who attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, who seek the sacraments and other Catholic rites for themselves, their children, and even their practicing Catholic relatives such as baptisms, confessions, marriages, Anointings of the Sick, and funerals. Attitudes of certain parents show indifference or even resistance to requests by catechetical programs of their enrolled children to attend Sunday Mass regularly (already required by God in the Third Commandment) or to pursue homework and testing with equivalent diligence to their regular schooling. Finding godparents or sponsors who are practicing Catholics can become a challenge. Although the Catholic pro-life movement is enjoying a welcome revival in my county, there are self-identified Catholics who publicly flout the Church’s teachings on moral issues, including human life and God’s plan for the family. Although progress has been achieved locally, reluctance is perceptible to publicly showing, sharing, or defending our Catholic faith, whilst societal actors locally and nationally mold the imagination and attitudes of our youth and even mature Catholics in ways that contravene the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The evidence abounds that the Empire State and the Big Apple need reclaiming for Christ, starting with ourselves. Although we are blessed with help from abroad with our clerics ministering locally and we should support the Church’s missionary efforts abroad, the American saying “Charity begins at home” makes demands of us local Catholics. The spread of the True Faith abroad that we support with prayers and offerings also needs to be spread here with time, talent, and if need be, treasure. There is not so much need for programs as there is need for us to get out of our comfort zones, starting with our families and neighbors who are no longer practicing Catholics, to invite them to our churches, to share the good things happening at our parishes and groups, to raise the possibility of priestly, diaconal, and religious/monastic vocations to our children and youths, and to reach out also to those of no faith or other faiths with the beauty and truth of our lived Catholic identity as something not only good for us but as something also good for them. One small way is to pass your bulletin to someone else when you are finished reading it. May our charity for the well-being in body and soul of our relatives and neighbors reach home as well as abroad, starting this World Mission Sunday.

“Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader as Jesus Christ can endure all things.”

 

Deacon Tom’s Reflection for the Lay Carmelite Newsletter, October 2023

“Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader as Jesus Christ can endure all things.” St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)

During the month of October, we have two great Carmelite Saints: St. Therese of the Child Jesus on October 1^st, and St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) on October 15^th. Since these days fall on a Sunday this year, the church will not be celebrating these feasts since the Sunday celebration supersedes these feasts. But let us meditate on how they lived out their vocation as Carmelites.

In the above quote from St. Teresa of Avila, we are reminded that we, as Carmelites and as Catholic Christians, are to always remember to live out our lives living in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to remember that in all we do in our lives beyond our praying the Divine Office and the regular attendance of Mass, we are still in the presence of Jesus Christ. In our day-to-day struggles of work and family we are to remember that Jesus is present to us and we are to respond to all situations trusting that Jesus will be present to us in our struggles. Further, in our response to those in our lives that may be difficult to get along with, we are to see Christ in them and respond with love and patience. It is in remembering that Christ is present in all our activities that we can endure all these struggles that occur when we come across difficult situations or difficult people.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, in her autobiography, while reflecting on 1 Corinthians, realized that her vocation is LOVE: “Then, in the excess of my delirious joy, I cried out: “O Jesus, my Love…my vocation, at last I found it…my vocation is Love!” Such beautiful words for us to reflect upon. All of us have the same vocation: that of Love. We are to not only love God with our whole mind, body, and soul; we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. It's our vocation: to have love at the center of all we do in relationship with God and with those we meet.

Let us always remember that as Lay Carmelites, we are always walking in the presence of Jesus, and that we are to respond to all people in our lives with that of Love.

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of the conflict between Martha and Mary. Martha, always worried about making sure things are ready for the Lord, and Mary wanting to be at the feet of Jesus hearing his wisdom and teachings. Martha complains to the Lord in order to get Mary to help her in the preparation of the food in the kitchen.  But Mary knows that it's important to make time to be with the Lord. And the Lord responds, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things!" (Luke 10:41) Who do you relate to: Martha or Mary?

Being active in order to serve the Lord in the different ministries at Church, as Martha wanted to do that day the Lord visited her, is important. But what if being busy prevents you from hearing the wisdom and teachings of Jesus? If it's causing us to be "anxious", like Martha, it's time to step back and be open to what the Lord is trying to teach us. You'll notice that Jesus is not discounting the "busyness" of Martha. But the Lord says, "There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." (Luke 10:42) It's all about balance.

Like Mary, I would encourage everyone to take time to hear the wisdom of the Lord by frequent reading of scripture and making time hear what the Lord is saying to us, whether it's through the readings from Mass, or just by reading, chapter by chapter, the New Testament. Just being open to the Lord's presence in our lives and in scripture will bring us that can come only by sitting at His feat, learning from Him what He wants us to learn in our lives.

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today Jesus is teaching us what it means by being a true believer in God. The scholar of the law points out rightly that it is central to all believers to not only to love God with our whole being, but to love our neighbors as ourselves. Then the scholar asks Jesus to clarify who his neighbor is.

In the Jewish culture of the time, the Jews despised the Samaritans. Yet, Jesus uses the example of a Samaritan to get across the message that we are to be neighbors to all people, no matter what our differences may be. In the parable, a priest and Levite avoid helping the one attacked by robbers. They may have had their reasons: the priest may have been on his way to a service, and the Levite may have been afraid of being made "unclean" according to Jewish law by touching someone who was bleeding and wounded. Instead of looking at the need of the one hurt, they were more worried about themselves. It was only the Samaritan that went over and above to help the one attacked by the robbers, without any worry about what effect it would have on him. The Samaritan saw someone in need and went out of his way to help the victim. 

We are all called to reach out to those in need around us. Maybe not as dramatically as the Samaritan did, but there are those we come across in our day to day lives that may need our care or help: whether it's a family member or friend. Or by helping those we may encounter in our daily lives! For example, there were times when I would be on my way to work and getting a cup of coffee from the coffee shop before going into the office, and I would encounter someone out front asking for help to get food. I would offer t buy him/her breakfast at the coffee shop. In helping that person get food, I was being neighbor to that person. The person was grateful, and, in that person, I saw not only my neighbor, but I saw Christ. 

I attempt to live out this law of love of God and neighbor daily. Let us look beyond the differences we see in the people we encounter and look at them as those made in the image and likeness of God.

Whoever listen to you listens to me

 

The scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today, we hear the continuation of the Lord sending out the 72 disciples ahead of him to the various towns and places he intended to visit. Between yesterday’s and today’s gospel, our Lord was making it clear that their job in proclaiming the kingdom of God will be challenging.

In yesterday’s gospel we hear the Lord tell his disciples that there is s a rich harvest of those who need to hear the Good News of God’s love for them. Then he goes on to say that he’s sending them like “lambs among wolfs.” (Luke 10:3) In other words, it won’t be easy. There will be people that will reject the message they are bringing from the Lord Jesus: that there is love and healing in God’s love for each one of them. He instructs the disciples to tell all they meet, “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.” The job of those 72 disciples is to help everyone to know the Love God has for each one of them.

In today’s gospel he goes on to warn those who reject the message of the Gospel that it won’t be easy for them on judgement day. The Lord is teaching that we are to put God in the center of all we do to make this a world where God’s love is in the center of all who we are. We are to turn away from sinfulness and make God the center of all we do.

Listening to the Lord is to learn that Jesus is teaching us to love God with our whole minds, hearts and being, and to love others as we love God. That’s what the Lord is calling us to do when he says to his disciples, “whoever listens to you listens to me.” The Lord is calling us to turn away from the selfish way of life that many of us may be living, and to turn to God by serving Him and loving all those God has placed in our lives.

Further, like those first 72 disciples, the Lord is sending us into the world to bring the Good News of God’s love to everyone we meet. It won’t be easy, but we are to bring the love of God into every situation of our lives. We are to share God’s love not only with our words, but in our actions. When people see us, can they see the love of God in how we live out our lives? That’s how we are to bring the Kingdom of God into the world: by our way of life in Christ. We are to be visible examples of God’s love for everyone.

As we go throughout our days beyond our time in prayer, let us remember that God is sending us out as His disciples, like lambs among wolfs. In doing so we are bringing God’s love into a world that needs to know God is present and cares for all people.

For the love of money is the root of all evils…

 

Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our first reading for today from St.Paul’s first letter to Timothy, we hear Paul continue to teach on how to live out a life as a Christian. We are to remain focused not on the riches of this world, but on things spiritual. We are to continue to look to Jesus as the example of how to live out our lives in love of God and love of neighbor.

St. Paul is reminding us to not to worry about accumulating money or material wealth. Paul clearly teaches that the love of money is the root of all evils. If we’re more worried about accumulating wealth and objects than about loving and serving God and helping those in our families and those in need, we have strayed from how God wants us to live our lives. Paul goes on to say that those who want to be rich will fall into the trap that will lead them to ruin and destruction.

Paul is teaching us that love of God should always be the center of who we are. There’s a saying that goes, “God will provide.” And certainly, God does indeed provide all our needs. All we need to do is to trust in him to provide for us.

Does this mean that we should be careless with the financial blessings the Lord has given us? Certainly not. We all have a certain amount of income that we are blessed with, thanks be to God, and we are to be responsible with the money and property we have accumulated over the course of our lives. But the money and accumulations we have been blessed with are not to replace our love for God and the love we are to show to others in our lives.  We are to use the money we have as a way of caring for ourselves and for those others God placed in our lives. As God has blessed us with certain financial blessings, we are to use these blessings to give glory and praise to God by using it in a way pleasing to God. Further we are to be generous with our money to certain charities that care for the poor and needy in our community.

Today’s reading from St. Paul to Timothy concludes with encouragement to live out our lives in pursuit of righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Living in this way, with Jesus at the center of all we do, will lead us to greater glory and praise of God.

I will walk with a blameless heart.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our first reading for today from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy. Paul is explaining very clearly the responsibilities of those called to being bishops and deacons in the church. Of bishops Paul says they must be temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle… In other words, the bishop must live out his life in imitation of Christ. He needs to be humbled and self-controlled. He must be a visible example of Christ in his position as bishop.

St. Augustine once said, “The day I became a bishop, a burden was laid on my shoulders for which it will be no easy task to render an account.” St.  Augustine, familiar with the words of St. Paul to Timothy, knew that he must lead those Christians in his care towards Christ. He must be kind and not aggressive.

St. Augustine also said, “I must distinguish carefully between two aspects of the role the Lord has given me, a role that demands rigorous accountability.” Augustine would go on to say, “I am a Christian is to my own advantage, but I am a leader for your advantage.” He knew those Christians in his care would turn to him for guidance to lead them to follow Christ more faithfully. As bishop, he knew that he must be ready to clearly explain what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Today we commemorate the feast of St. Januarius. who was a bishop and martyr, in Naples. St. Januarius was martyred by the Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of 305. He lived out his call as Bishop and Christian by remaining strong in his faith in Jesus Christ.  Rather than deny his faith in Jesus Christ, Januarius chose to die for this faith in the Lord. He was first thrown to the wild beast, and then eventually beheaded. St. Januarius knew the words of St. Paul well of being self-controlled. He remained strong in his faith as a follower of Jesus Christ.

St. Paul’s letter goes on to teach us further that whatever place we are in the Church, whether a deacon or women of faith, we are to attempt to live out our lives as Christians by loving God and loving our neighbors. We are all called to be living examples of what it means to be Christian. We are to be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything.

By living out our lives in this way, others will see that we are faithful Christians, and we can hope to lead them as well to a life in relationship with Christ.