While we were still sinners Christ died for us!

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | USCCB

Today we celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is usually commemorated on the Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost.

This beautiful devotion shows us the love that Christ has for all of us. In one of his writings, St. Bonaventure wrote, “…consider how great and worthy is he who hangs on the cross for you. His death brings the dead to life…” and “It was a divine decree that permitted one of the soldiers to open his sacred side with a lance. This was done so that the Church might be formed from the side of Christas he slept the sleep of death on the Cross.” Christ willingly went to the cross to die for our salvation.

In our gospel for today we hear Christ describe the Good Shepherd. Christ is that Good Shepherd looking far and wide for those who are away from God through sin. Once the sinner has returned to the loving embrace of Christ in His Church, our Lord is overjoyed, like the Good Shepherd that is described in the gospel.

As we pray today to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us reflect on the words of St. Paul in today’s second reading to the Romans, “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” God’s love for us is infinite, and He wants us to always to turn away from sin and to always turn towards Him out of love and devotion. Further, as we continue our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us pray for those in our family that may be away from the Church and any devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be through our prayers that our family and friends will come back into relationship with Jesus and find that peace that can only come from being in relationship with the Lord.

Finally, as we pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us remember what St. Teresa of Calcutta is quoted as saying: “Do not let the past disturb you. Leave everything in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and begin again with joy.” 

 

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever! Warmest greetings to our fathers, godfathers, grandfathers, and spiritual fathers on Father’s Day.

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 Sunday of the Most Holy Trinity 2025 by Fr. Arthur F. Rojas and with permission to publish on the blog

© All Rights Reserved personally by Rev. Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, June 10, 2025    

At times in our country, the local authorities have been referred to as the “town” or “city fathers” and the Framers of the United States Constitution as the “Founding Fathers” of our nation.  Yet most of our state legislators recently have served a Vampire State instead of our once-Empire State by passing the Medical Aid in Dying Bill over to Hon. Kathy Hochul, our governor, for her signature into law.  How many of our elderly, disabled, poor, lonely, or frail fathers (and mothers) have the majorities at Albany placed on the altars of “individual autonomy,” “choice,” and “death with dignity” as Canada and western Europe have shown that the “right” to die becomes inevitably the “duty” to die?  I am reminded of the end of the science-fiction movie Soylent Green as the protagonist played by Charlton Heston announces the terrible secret on his way arguably to euthanasia, “Soylent Green is people!”

Let us extol anew the prayerful fortitude and talent of St. Athanasius, St. Hilary of Poitiers, and other Catholic heroes in the first several centuries of the Church as they upheld the Nicene Creed and our profession of faith in the mystery of one God in three Divine Persons against powerful forces wanting to feed humanity lies about God instead of His Revelation.  Truly the prelates Ss. Athanasius and Hilary have been called fathers…an Eastern and a Western Father of the Church among others so honored with the title.    So may we committed Catholics and other New Yorkers of good will today attest to the intrinsic worth of human life from the womb to the tomb, in light of the recent travesty at Albany, and treat our elderly and our disabled not as burdens to our comfortable way of life or as mere liabilities to corporate bottom lines but as opportunities to be truly human, truly loving to each other as God expects of us.

Firstly, let us pray for the conversion of Governor Hochul, that she may veto the bill instead of becoming complicit in this sordid affair.  The votes are arguably in both chambers to sustain that move.  Then, call her office at 518/474-8390 to convey your insistence – firmly but respectfully – that she decide with a view to history and the hereafter and not just the elections in 2026.  Next, all Catholics should consider a Catholic-oriented Health Care Proxy to sign and distribute to their relatives and attorneys.  The website of the New York State Catholic Conference (nyscatholic.org) has a booklet offering Catholic guidance, including a draft Health Care Proxy, that is downloadable from the website in English and Spanish.  Moreover, Catholics in the healing arts and sciences should learn and insist on their conscience rights under applicable laws, policies, and union contracts to take no part in procedures arising from this bill or related decisions made by insurance companies.  Finally, Catholic investors and stockholders should sponsor resolutions at annual meetings and elect directors who will not cut costs or raise profits by eliminating people who suffer instead of treating suffering patients. 

You are the light of the world

 

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

In our gospel for today, the Lord uses two metaphors to describe how we, as His followers, are to live out our lives. 

First, Jesus says we are to be the salt of the earth. The reason people use salt is to add flavor to the food they are preparing to eat. Without salt, the food will taste bland or flat. We, as followers, are called to be like "salt" to the world in which we live. We are to bring our love of the Lord to those we meet. In doing so we are making the world a better place. It takes away the blandness and flatness of the world and brings the love of Christ to all we meet. We are to live out our Christian lives so that it's evident that we are followers of Jesus Christ. By bringing the love of Christ to those we touch each day, we are helping those around us to know the love that Christ has for everyone. That's how we are to be the "salt of the earth."

This is tied into us being the "light of the world." When people see us and how we behave, can they see that we are Christians, followers of Christ? Our faith and how we live needs to be shining examples of the love that Christ has for everyone. By seeing us, people should be seeing the love that Christ has for everyone. Much like a light bulb emanates light for all to see, we are to be the light of Christ's love for everyone. 

This reminds me of the hymn from a number of years ago, "They'll know we are Christians by our love." By showing love to everyone, we will be like the salt bringing the "flavor" of Christ love to all we meet. 

As Saint Paul says in our first reading from the 2nd letter to the Corinthians, let us always say "yes" to bringing the love of Christ into this world to bring us greater peace and joy.

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter | USCCB

In our gospel for today, we continue with John, chapter 15. Central to the teachings of Jesus is that of love of God and love of one another. Today our Lord is very clear: love one another as I love you. He’s not suggesting we love each other, but rather he is commanding that we love one another. “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you!” Our Lord is not playing around here.

Following this commandment of love of other people is difficult. We all have different personalities and attractions. Naturally, there will be those we meet in our day-to-day lives that we will find it hard to even like, no less to love. But to love is what we must do towards everyone we meet, whether it’s those family members that get on our nerves, or those people we meet during the day that press our buttons. We are to make an effort to love them as God loves them. We are to remember that God loves EVERYONE, even those people we don’t like. Whether we like it or not, those people that we may not like are made in the image of God and God loves them dearly.

Pope St. John Paul II is quoted as saying: “Open your minds and hearts to the beauty of all that God has made and to His special, personal love for each one of you.” And Archbishop Fulton Sheen says of love: “Love is not an emotion; it is an act of the will.”

So, as we go throughout our day, let us bring this love of God to all we meet. Let the love of God be evident in how we treat one another.

As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter | USCCB

In our gospel for today's mass from John 15 we hear Jesus talk about the love of the Father and Jesus' love for us. He's asking us to remain in His love. This is the central teaching of our Lord: To love God with our whole mind, heart and soul and to love our neighbor as our selves. 

On the Carmelite calendar for today we celebrate the feast of Saint Joachina de Vedruna de Mas who understood this love that Jesus is talking about. She was born in Barcelona in 1783. She married and had 9 children. In 1816 she became a widow and felt a call to form the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity. 

In one of her writings she says, "If only we were all on fire with love for God! If we were, we should preach love, proclaim love, and yet more love, until we had set the whole world on fire. We must have great desires: then God will give us whatever is best for us." I'm sure during her lifetime she reflected on this gospel from John 15 and applied it to how she lived her life and how she developed her congregation. She knew that God is love and his love for us is all important as to how we live out our lives here on earth. 

In our daily lives we meet many people, whether in our families, or just going about our daily routine. It is in these daily encounters that we are to bring the love of God into the world to transform it into a place that is pleasing to God. 

She concludes in this writing on love, "Love, love, and yet more love-love that is never satisfied! The more we love God, the more we shall long to love him And when we have Jesus in our hearts, we shall have everything else in him and with him."

Let us, through the help of Saint Joachina, remember to love God always and to live out our lives with love towards everyone we meet. Saint Joachina, pray for us.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter | USCCB

This gospel is often used at either wakes or funerals to give comfort to the family and friends of the dearly departed. I find these words most comforting. Our life can be full of troubles, whether it’s over the loss of a loved one, or just dealing with family problems that arise in our relationship with each other. Life is full of anxiety and problems. But in these words, Jesus is reminding us that we need to have faith in the Father and in Him, and they will be present to us in our cares and worries.  

Then the Lord goes on to promise a special dwelling place for each one of us. It’s comforting to know that the Lord is so concerned for us and loves us so much that he is preparing a special place for each one of us to go to be happy with him for all eternity.

It’s at this point that St. Thomas asks the question, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" (John 14:5) Thomas is always asking these great questions. And as a result, we learn who Jesus is. Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

In this gospel for today, it is reminding us to always keep focused on Jesus no matter what our problems happen to be. As we go throughout our day and face the different challenges, let us pray often the familiar words of St. Faustine, “Jesus I trust in thee.”

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

 

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

Our readings for today's mass have a lot to reflect upon. In our first reading from Acts, chapter 9:1-20 we hear of Saul (who would go onto become Paul) persecuting the early Christians. In today's reading he was on his way to Damascus, with letters from the high priests, giving him permission to arrest and bring back to Jerusalem those Christians who were followers of Jesus Christ. Then something amazing happens. A bright light knocks Saul to the ground and the voice of the Lord Jesus asks, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4).  Saul would go on to find out that by persecuting the early Christians he is also persecuting the Lord Jesus. Once he arrives in Damascus one of the followers of Jesus, Ananias, with great fear of Paul, but with the prompting of Jesus, goes to Saul, and Saul is baptized and then goes on to preach about salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All were amazed that this persecutor and murderer of the early Christians was now proclaiming faith in Jesus Christ. 

The Lord Jesus heard the prayers of the early Christians, including the prayers of the first martyr (and deacon), St. Stephen who, as he was being stoned by Saul and the others, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them." (Acts 7:60) This example of prayer for others who may not believe as we do and may be attacking us for our beliefs gives us hope that prayers we have for those we know who do not believe will be effective. Paul's conversion was extraordinary, but a lot of conversions happen in small and unexpected ways. We are, like Stephen and the other early Christians, called to pray for those people we know that may not believe in salvation through Jesus. Then, in His own way, Jesus will enter into the hearts of those we are praying for. 

Then in the gospel we hear Jesus teach on the Eucharist. He says, "Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life." (John 6:54).  Many of the Jews had problems accepting and believing in this and left. This teaching of Jesus is central to our belief in His real presence int the Blessed Sacrament. Once the priest says the words of consecration, the bread and wine BECOME the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus really meant what he said in his promise that he would feed us with His body and blood.

That's why it's important to approach Holy Communion worthily. St. Paul teaches us, "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.* (1 Corinthians 11:27) 

Before Mass, as we anticipate receiving the Lord in Holy Communion, we need to examine our conscience. If we find ourselves unworthy, then as soon as possible, we need to go to confession before we receive Holy Communion. 

The message in today's readings is first: pray for those who may not believe or accept Jesus as their savior, and second: to make sure we approach the blessed sacrament in a worthy manner by the frequent use of confession. Living out our lives in a way that pleases the Lord is the best way to bring others to Christ. They will see our way of life and try to come to Jesus as well. 

This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world

 

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

In our gospel for today we hear of the familiar story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people. These were people that were following Jesus and seeing him heal their sick. They were naturally attracted to Jesus due to the good he was doing among them. Jesus was showing them the love God has towards all of them and was helping them to develop a deeper relationship with the Father.

Then, seeing their hunger and having concern for their welfare, Jesus decided to feed the crowd. He knew how he was going to do this but was putting the apostles to the test. They really didn’t know how to resolve such an issue. They saw the vast crowd and couldn’t figure out how to feed all of them with such a small amount of food that the boy had.

Jesus took control. After everyone sat down, Jesus gave thanks for the food and had the apostles distribute it. As a result, there was plenty of food left over once everyone was fed.

We see really two things in Jesus feeding the five thousand: first, we should expect to have our faith tested. Second, we should look to the Lord and expect him to provide for us abundantly.

In our own day-to-day lives, we have many different struggles that we don’t know how to resolve. Instead of trying to solve these problems alone, we need to learn from the apostles: turn to Jesus in prayer and he will help us in whatever situation we’re facing. This gospel is teaching us that Jesus is always present to us, whether we’re sick, or hungry, or facing difficult situations. We may not get the resolution to our problems in a way that we want, but the Lord will respond to our problems in a way that we need. Jesus is always present to us in all our needs. We just need to go to Him in prayer to help us through all our issues and problems. Jesus will always be there for us. Our prayer to Jesus should always be, “Jesus, I trust in you!”

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

 

Scripture for this reflection can be found at Saturday in the Octave of Easter | USCCB

On this Saturday within the Octave of Easter, we continue with the Acts of the Apostles in our first reading and another resurrection account in the Gospel.

In the gospel, Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Jesus and overjoyed, ran to tell the apostles. They found it hard to believe her. Then the Lord appeared to the 11 and rebuked them for not believing Mary and the others for their experience of the risen Lord. It was at this time they came to truly know and believe that the Lord has indeed risen from the dead. He gives them the instructions, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). Jesus then ascends into heaven and then they go forth to proclaim salvation in the Risen Lord.

In the Acts of the Apostles for today (Acts 4:13-21) we see the boldness of Peter and John in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. They weren't afraid when the Sandhendrin warned them not to preach about Jesus. Their response was, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19) It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that they received this courage to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.

We, as followers of Jesus, are called to be as bold as the apostles in sharing our faith in the Risen Lord. Like the apostles, we'll run into obstacles in sharing our faith. There will be those who will not accept the fact that Jesus not only died on the cross but rose again on the third day. We are to be not afraid to share our faith with them. There will always be those who may reject faith in Jesus Christ, but we are to share our faith with them, nonetheless. Then, after sharing our faith with them, we are to pray for them to receive the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer is a powerful tool in our sharing our faith with others. 

Let us obey the words of Jesus by going into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. 

"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Wednesday of Holy Week | USCCB

On this "Spy Wednesday" we hear of Judas betraying the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. This was something that Judas would go on to regret once he realizes that the scribes and pharisees were planning on killing our Lord. 

I often reflect on the grief of Judas after he realized what was to happen to our Lord. He was filled with grief, so much so that he committed suicide. Had he not been so self-centered in his grief and recall the teachings of Jesus that he most certainly must have heard, he would have realized that Jesus would have forgiven him for this sin.

Comparing him with St. Peter, who denied Jesus three times, we hear that Peter, once Jesus rose from the dead, was able to reconcile himself with the Lord. As you recall, the Lord asks him three times, "Do you love me" and Peter says, "Lord, you know I love you." It was in this three-fold admission of his love for Jesus that he received forgiveness. 

Had Judas not committed suicide and stayed to see the Lord rise from the dead, he, too, would have received the gift of forgiveness. 

How many times do we hold onto the sins of our past, thinking that the Lord will never forgive us of them? We all have something in our "closets" that we are ashamed of and may need the forgiveness of Jesus. 

During the next few days as we hear of Jesus being turned over to the authorities and die for our sins on the cross, let us place our sinfulness at the foot of His Cross and ask to be healed. And if you haven't done so yet, at first opportunity, go to confession and place your cares, worries and sins into the loving embrace of the Lord, who is there for you to forgive you your sins. 

O God, be merciful to me a sinner

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Saturday of the Third Week of Lent | USCCB

We have in our gospel for today the parable about the proud Pharisee and the humble tax collector. The Pharisee was busy telling God how great he was! He's not greedy, dishonest, adulterous, plus he fasts twice a week. How nice! He's saying to God, "Look at how great I am!"  But there's one thing he is that he fails to recognize: He's judgmental. He reads off all the things he does for God and then goes on to say that he's happy he's not like that tax collector. 

The tax collector, on the other hand, realizes his sinfulness and pleads, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:13). He's not concerned about the Pharisee or anyone else in the temple near him. He's more concerned with asking God to have mercy on him and to help him develop a closer relationship with His Creator. He knows his shortcomings and is turning to God for help.

How many of us go before God, whether at church or in private prayer, and tell Him about all the great things that we have done? We have to remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves. During Lent we are called to fast and pray and try to review how we are living our lives according to God's will. But we are not to brag about it. It's about being humble before God.  It's all about how we are to become better Christians. During Lent (and always) we are not to worry about how other people may or may not be falling short in their relationship with God. 

Between now and Easter Sunday let us reflect upon what our Lord is telling us: "... everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Second Week of Lent | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear the familiar parable about the landowner of a vineyard who leases it out to tenants to give to the owner produce at vintage time.

The owner of the vineyard is clearly God. The vineyard is the house of Israel, where God’s people are to be found. The tenants of the vineyard are the people of God. The servants that were sent and eventually beat and killed represent the prophets of old. Finally, the owner sends his son who is seized and killed. This son represents Jesus. As we see develop in the gospels, Jesus knew that he will eventually be killed by the scribes and Pharisees. They felt threatened by Jesus because of Him pointing out their sinfulness. Further, they were rejecting his authority as Son of God and Messiah.

Looking forward, we can now see the new vineyard as His Church. Jesus is calling each one of us to accept His message of love and salvation and is calling each one of us to bring this good news of salvation to other people in our lives.  This is how we can help develop a vintage that is acceptable to Jesus Christ. First our own acceptance of Him as Lord and Savior and then helping others to know that Jesus is indeed their Lord and Savior, as well.

In the conclusion of today’s gospel, we hear Jesus say to the scribes that the kingdom will be “…given to a people that will produce its fruit.” We produce good fruit by how we live out our call as Christians. First, by accepting that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose on Easter Sunday Morning, and by living out a life of loving God and our neighbor. Further, being human, we will at times fall short of this call of love. It is during these times that we should turn back to God in the sacrament of confession to show Jesus true love and repentance.

It is challenging and demanding to be a follower of Jesus Christ but let us pray to the Lord for the strength to do what He is asking of us: to accept Him as Savior and to bring this good news of salvation to those who are in most need of hearing it.

“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

 

Scripture for this reflection can be found at Second Sunday of Lent | USCCB

In the gospel for this Second Sunday of Lent we hear of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Luke, chapter 9. I can only imagine the surprise and fear on Peter, John and James when Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus. During this vision, we hear that Jesus “spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” Everything that Moses and Elijah did in their lives pointed towards the coming of Jesus into the world for our salvation. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that happened in the Old Testament. Further, the Transfiguration is a glimpse of the future glory of the Resurrected Jesus on Easter Sunday morning. Finally, during this vision, we hear from God the Father: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” It’s a call to follow Jesus and to grow in our vocation as Christians. We are called to have Jesus in the center of all who we are.

The way we fulfill God’s command of listening to Jesus is by the regular attendance at Sunday and daily Mass, by regular reading of scripture and by praying regularly throughout the day. In this way we will know and acknowledge that Jesus is present to us in our daily lives, and we’ll be able grow spiritually closer to Him in all we do.

Pope St. John Paul II, in reflecting on the Transfiguration, says that it is “a call to embrace the transformative power of faith and to follow Christ's example of self-giving love, even in the face of hardship and suffering.”

So, let us embrace Jesus as our Savior and prepare during this time of Lent for the suffering and death of Jesus on Good Friday and His Glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.

I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you

 

The scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Saturday of the First Week of Lent | USCCB

In our gospel for today the Lord is asking us to do something that seems to go against our human nature: to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute you. This is very challenging for us to do. It's easy to love those we are naturally attracted to and have things in common with. But love those who wish us harm and want to hurt us? Really? But that is what the Lord is calling us to do. If we are to be truly his followers, we have to follow the way of love towards ALL people, and especially towards those that we find easy to hate and despise. 

In the political climate over the last several years it seems that "hate" is the "in-thing", and name calling is acceptable. Whether it's towards the current occupant of the White House or the previous one, it's become acceptable to hate and name call rather than to try to show love and respect while respectfully disagreeing with their policies. We are called to pray for our leaders, whether we like them or not.

Unfortunately, also, this hatred has spread to family and friends who may not share the same points of view. I find it very sad that, as Christians, we can't show the love that Christ is calling to have towards those we disagree with. We attack and name call rather than pray for each other.

Prayer is a powerful thing to do for those we may hate or despise. If we find it hard to pray for them using our own words, we can use the words that Jesus used from the cross: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Let us during this Lent follow the command of Love that Jesus is calling us to have for one another. And let us pray for those who we may feel a natural hatred for. All people, no matter how we may feel towards them, are made in the image of God and deserve our love and prayers. 

VII 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) 

Article for the blog of Dcn. Thomas Tortorella by Fr. Arthur F. Rojas on the readings of the VII Sunday in Ordinary Time (c) All Rights Reserved personally by Fr. Arthur F. Rojas, February 22, 2025 (c)

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

We, your clerics, strive to preach the message of Our Lord Jesus Christ to you and as many people as we can reach.  The Greek word for message is "euanggelion" or "Gospel" in English.  A more literal translation of "euanggelion" may be found in English in the word "evangelical."  Thus, may my preaching today be "evangelical" first and foremost.  It strikes me not as coincidence but as Divine Providence that earlier on Saturday, February 22nd, our Church observed the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle, which among other things reminds us of the teaching aspect of Holy Orders, of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, and of the Church in general.

The message linking the first reading with the Gospel reading of today is one that needs repeating in today's culture of rampant entitlement and egotism, namely that just because you can do something or have the ability to have something done, does not mean that you should do it or have it done.  Out of fear for his throne, which had been given by God, and his envy of David, King Saul sought to kill David and thus frustrate God's plan to have David succeed Saul to the throne of Israel due to Saul's own sins and his infidelity to God.  But one night David was in a position to take King Saul's life.  David refrains because he remembered that while God may have plans for him, Saul was still anointed divinely.  It was not David's place to deal with Saul in that way.  Instead, David ironically demonstrates even more power over Saul by his solution as he respected Saul's anointed state.  Thus, David exercised a legitimate right of self-defense without offending God.  More importantly for David and for us, David shows that the ends do not justify the means!

The Gospel proclaimed to us in Luke 6 provides a radical extension of Psalm 103, our responsorial psalm, and a profound challenge to us to imitate God's kindness and mercy.  As St. Paul would teach us in Romans 15, the Gentiles - that is, the peoples of the Earth apart from the Jews - would glorify God for His mercy.  If we want to receive mercy from God, then He may expect that mercy to change who we are and how we live as individuals and as communities.  As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in the second reading (1 Cor 15:45-49), to live not only for the Earth while on Earth but also to strive for Heaven, which is eternal union with God.  Holiness may call for radical change from us and further to live in contradiction of the ways people around us think and believe.  Again, the ends, even if good or even noble, do not justify any means to achieve them.  As Christians, let us use virtuous means to achieve virtuous ends, or at least morally neutral means to reach those ends.  How many trials and tribulations did St. Paul face for preaching and teaching what his audience needed to hear and not always what they wanted to hear?

Although numbers of attendance, collections, sacramental statistics, and at times, even ratings, do have their importance, neither we, your clerics, nor you, the Catholic faithful, communicate the message of Christ firstly for approval but for the conversion and sanctification of those who listen or read what we try to convey.  Along with instruction and exhortation, however, Psalm 103 reminds us that there are times to convey comfort and consolation.  Nonetheless, all aspects of the teaching, sanctifying, and governing by the Church, her clerics, her faithful, and instrumentalities such as New York Catholic Radio firstly should be oriented to matching the earthly image we bear as human beings to the heavenly image we put on in Christ not only sacramentally but as a way of life.  May that be reflected not only in our goals and plans of action as individuals and families but also in our communities and the decisions that are made on the issues and challenges of today.  

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

 

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

Being a follower of Jesus Christ is not an easy way of life. Jesus is calling us to place Him and His teachings at the center of who we are. Following Jesus means that we will face hardships and difficulties in our lives since other people in our lives may not fully understand why we are attempting to live out a Christian life.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He taught His followers that the commandments are summed up in this way: love God with your whole mind, heart and soul and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. And how do we carry this command of love of God and love of neighbor out in our day-to-day life?

In the gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 25, where Jesus teaches on the final Judgement, he gives a list of what’s to be expected of those who claim to be his followers. “I was hungry, and you gave me food.” “I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink.” “I was naked, and you gave me clothing.” “I was in prison and you visited me.” In all these examples of helping other people, our Lord is teaching us that what we do for others, we are doing for him. Seeing Jesus in other people is not always easy. Human nature being what it is, it’s sometimes hard to deal with people we don’t like. But by doing these good deeds to other people is where we carry our cross. Doing good to people, especially when it’s not convenient or easy, can be difficult. But that’s where we deny ourselves and pick up our cross: by seeing Christ in everyone that we meet, and in this way, we are loving God with our whole being.

Pope Francis is quoted as saying, “Works of love directed to one's neighbor are the most perfect external manifestation of the interior grace of the Spirit….” Let us pick up our crosses daily by loving God and loving our neighbors.

He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop | USCCB

We hear in today's gospel about Jesus healing the deaf man with a speech impediment. I find it interesting that Jesus took this man away from the crowd to be alone with him. Jesus could have very easily just said the words of healing and the man would have been healed. Why did Jesus feel a need to take this man away from the crowd, and further, why did he feel a need to touch his ears and tongue to give the man healing? Jesus could have just said be healed and the man would have been healed.

I think that it's possible that Jesus saw in this man a need for the personal touch. It's possible, because of the man's disabilities, that he felt distant from people. People probably kept their distance from him for whatever reason. So, Jesus sensed the need for physical contact that this man may have never really had. This was part of the healing. Not only was he being healed of his deafness and speech impediment, but he was feeling the love and warmth of human contact. In addition to the healing, he was being made to feel important. 

Jesus reaches out to each one of us in our own unique way. We are all different and are in need of different healings that can only come from Jesus. Whether it's physical healing, like this man, or emotional healing that is unique to each one of us. All we have to do is to turn to Jesus and seek His help and healing. We can do this in various ways: though the reading and meditating on scripture, through quiet time alone in prayer with Jesus, by going to Him in the Sacrament of Confession, or by reaching out to Him in Holy Communion. It is during these times with Jesus that he will grant us the healing we need. It may not be as dramatic as the man in today's gospel, but we will be healed according to our need. 

As you approach Jesus in prayer, ask Him to grant you the healing and peace that you need. 

Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of the excitement the apostles had in all that they were doing in their ministry for the Lord. They came to Jesus and reported everything they did. Jesus, seeing not only the good they were doing, but also saw the need for them to step back from their ministry to others and to minister to themselves, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." (Mark 6:31)

Our Lord was worried that they may "burn out" with all they were doing. He also knew the importance of taking time to be alone with God in prayer and meditation. This is good advice for all of us, whether we're in active ministry (whether clergy or lay ministry) or just ministering to our family in the day-to-day concerns with caring for those we love. Often, it's hard to get away for any extended time, for instance a weekend retreat. But if we plan out our days to incorporate a little time to be in that "deserted place" with God in order to pray and meditate on scripture, or to just be alone with God, to share with him all your cares and concerns, he will refresh your soul to be able to continue your service to Him and to those you love. 

Make time each day to be with God and start each time with Him with the words from Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want."

The Kingdom of God

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of the Kingdom of God being compared to that of a seed being spread on the land and how it grows from day to day to full maturity. As we read this gospel, we can reflect on our own lives and see how the Word of God, like a seed, has touched each one of us and has helped us grow ever closer to the Lord. I know for my own life, my relationship with God has grown over the years and is now different and deeper than it was years ago.

The seed of faith in each one of us started with our baptism. For most of us, we were baptized as children. Our parents had faith in God and their faith was so important to them that they wanted to share that faith in God with us through our own baptism. That was when the seed of faith was planted in each one of us. Further, we had a simple faith in God based on what we learned through our religious education growing up. The seed faith was planted by our parents bringing us for baptism, and then it grew thanks to the priests and nuns that we knew growing up teaching us our faith in Jesus Christ. The faith was simple then. But as we grow older, our faith, like plants in a garden, grows ever stronger as we develop a better understanding of our relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s how the Kingdom of God grows in each one of us. It is through reading and understand our faith through scripture and by understanding the teachings of Jesus Christ as taught by the Catholic Church that we grow in faith.

As we continue to grow and mature in our faith, we are, like a gardener, are called to water our faith with the regular attendance at Mass. Further, we are called to the regular use of confession for the times we fall short of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Then, like the mustard seed mentioned by the Lord, our faith will grow from being small to the largest of all plants.

Do whatever he tells you

 

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

On this Second Sunday in Ordinary time, we hear in the gospel about the Wedding Feast at Cana. This couple must have been really special people to have such important guests as our Lord, our Lady, and the Lord’s Disciples present.

As the gospel unfolds, the dialogue between our Lady and the Lord catches my interest. Mary tells Jesus about the shortage of wine. Jesus responds in, what I consider, a harsh way: “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4) Our Lady doesn’t let that tone stop her and tells the waiters, “Do whatever he tells you.” Jesus, being obedient to his mother, performs his first miracle. Jesus saves the day, and the couple not only has wine: they have probably the best wine ever!

There’s a couple of things to meditate on in this reading. First, we see our Lord being obedient to his loving mother. Her concern becomes his concern. The couple turns to her with their problem, and she in turn turns to Jesus to help solve the problem. We can learn from this as well. When we have our own problems, we can take them to Mary, who will in turn take them to Jesus to respond in a way that’s best for us.

The second part of my reflection is what our Lady says to the waiters: “Do whatever he tells you.” This instruction to the waiters is something that we, too, can learn from. Mary is telling each of us in our day-to-day living out of our faith in Jesus Christ: “Do whatever he tells you.” We do what Jesus tells us by following the commandments of God as understood by the Catholic Church. The commandments are very simple. As Jesus points out in scripture: we are to love God with our whole mind, heart and soul, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Further, we are to follow the precepts and teachings of His Holy Catholic Church by regular attendance at mass and the frequent use of confession.

In doing so, we are doing what the Lord is telling us, and we are growing ever closer to Him and to his mother.

Jesus saw their faith

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of the paralytic being healed and how his friends didn’t let the crowd stop them from bringing him to the Lord to be healed. I can only imagine the amused look on the Lord’s face seeing this paralytic being lowered in front of him to be healed. These friends would do anything to help their friend in need and they knew of the healing power of Jesus.

Jesus also used this as a teaching moment for those around him. He could have just raised his and healed the paralytic. Instead, he says, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:15) The scribes right away accuse the Lord of blasphemy. After all, who can forgive sins except for God. The Lord Jesus Christ, being true God and true man, has that power to forgive sins. The scribes and those around Jesus only saw Jesus, the man. They were unable to know yet that Jesus was also true God. And this is one of the many healings that started to get Jesus in trouble with the Jewish leaders. They viewed him as only a man. They were too blind to believe that Jesus was Messiah and God.

We, like the friends of this paralytic, can also turn to Jesus for our own healing and the healing of those we hold dear. We have many issues and concerns in our lives that we need to bring to Jesus for help and healing. Further, there are those friends and family members that we are concerned about that need physical or spiritual healing. We can bring these concerns to the Lord in prayer. In effect, we are placing our concerns and the concerns of our family and friends at the feet of Jesus for healing.

With each day, as we approach the Lord in prayer, let us pray for ourselves, for our own physical and spiritual healing, and for those in our family that may be suffering from illness or are spiritually away from God for whatever reason. Let us ask the Lord for the gift of healing for all our concerns.  The Lord will work his healing in ways that will be best for all those we are praying for. Then we too can say, as the people in today’s Gospel said, “We have never seen anything like this.” (Mark 2:12)

Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday after Epiphany | USCCB

In our gospel we hear of the healing of the man with leprosy. He heard of the healing power of Jesus and was desperate to be healed of this dreadful disease. In the time of the Lord lepers were segregated from society because of their illness. To protect the health and wellbeing of everyone, lepers had to live outside of society in leper colonies. And if they entered an inhabited area, they would have to announce “unclean” to those they were approaching so that those they came close to would not contract this horrible disease. And since they were considered unclean, anyone they touched, according to Jewish law and understanding, became unclean themselves.

So, it took a lot of courage for this leper to come close to Jesus to beg for this healing. Approaching Jesus with the faith that Jesus can cure him, he begged Jesus to make him clean. Then Jesus, touching the leper, cleansed him of leprosy. I’m sure those that saw Jesus touching this leper were shocked that Jesus would touch someone unclean. This is why the Lord instructed the leper to “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” (Luke 5:14)

This leper not only received the gift of physical healing from Jesus, but also the gift of forgiveness of sins. Jesus healed him not only physically, but spiritually. We can learn from this healing story about our own lives. We are all sinful people in need of the forgiveness and healing from Jesus. We need to recognize our own sinfulness and turn to Jesus and pray, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” The best way to do this is through the sacrament of confession. It is through this sacrament that Jesus will reach out to us, through the priest, and heal us of our sinfulness.

We all need Christ to cleanse us and to forgive us and to restore us. In the Scriptures for today, leprosy is a picture of the uncleanness of sin. And God alone has the power to cleanse us from sin.

So, let us turn to Jesus through the Sacrament of Confession and say, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Christmas Weekday | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of the forerunner of Jesus Christ: John the Baptist. He was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. All throughout John’s life, John was aware of who Jesus was.

Looking back at Mary’s visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, John’s mother, in Luke, chapter 1, verse 44, we hear Elizabeth say to Mary, “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” So, even in the womb of Elizabeth, John was able to recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior.

As Catholics, we hear these words of John at every Holy Mass. As the priest holds up the consecrated Host he says, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” We see in the consecrated hosts the same Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that John saw more than 2,000 years ago. And then we reply, like the centurion in Matthew, chapter8, verse 8, by saying, “Lord, I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof. But only say the word and I shall be healed,” Do we truly leap for joy, like John in Elizabeth’s womb, when we see Jesus being held before us by the priest? After all, we are seeing Jesus, body, blood, soul, and divinity, being held before us.

Further, as Christians, we are called to imitate John the Baptist by first recognizing Jesus when we see Him before us at Mass, and then we are called to share this good news of Jesus Christ with everyone in our lives, family and friends. Everyone who sees us should know that we are followers of Jesus Christ by how we live our lives. By sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others in our lives, we are being like John the Baptist. We are saying to them, Behold the Lamb of God.

St. Theresa of Calcutta once said, “Deepen your prayer life and you will grow in holiness and obtain many graces for the souls entrusted to your care.” Let us continue to do as Mother Theresa says, and we will then be able to lead others into relationship with Jesus Christ.

Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.