Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away

This reflection was written for the First Sunday of Advent, based on the readings for the Traditional Latin Mass. Scripture for this reflection can be found at Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-4

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent, and in less than a month we’ll be celebrating the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem. The streets of New York are all decorated for Christmas, Macy’s has their Christmas decorations in all their windows, the tree is up at Rockefeller Center, and all the commercials on TV and radio over the last few months have been pushing their products for you to be ready for Christmas Day! It’s all about pushing the commercial aspect of Christmas. We hear of Santa Claus and the Elves up in the North Pole preparing for Santa’s trip on Christmas Eve. Music on the radio is playing things like Rudoph the Red nosed Reindeer and Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. We see on TV the movie “Miracle on 34^th Street where it points to Santa as the reason for Christmas. Yet, there’s no mention of the real reason for the season: the birth of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago. Jesus has been taken out of the season and commercialism, and the sin of greed has replaced the Lord. The real miracle is not on 34^th Street, but here on 37^th Street at Holy Innocents and at all Catholic Churches where the real reason for Christmas is Celebrated on the Altar. At every Holy Mass the priest brings us the real reason for Christmas: Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul and divinity. Jesus Christ is at the heart and center of Christmas.

In our readings for today’s Holy Mass, we hear from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, chapter 13, telling us that it’s time to rise from sleep. In this letter to the Romans, Paul is concerned about our salvation and is calling us to live a life worthy of our call as Catholic Christians: “Let us therefore cast off works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Paul knew of all the things in the world that would take our attention away from serving God. Paul reminds us to live our lives as followers of Jesus Christ by not rioting or drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities…” We are called to turn away from all the distractions of this temporal world, and we are called to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord, through His Holy Church, has given us ways of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ through the Sacraments. We have baptism, which washes away our sins, Holy Communion to be able to receive our Lord, body blood, soul and divinity, and the Sacrament of Confirmation where we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It is through these sacraments that we can put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, we are called to make the regular use of the sacrament of confession to always remain pure and focused on our salvation. It is through these sacraments that we receive the strength to remain focused on the fact that Jesus came into the world for our salvation. We are not to focus so much on the commercial aspect of this season, but on the spiritual aspect that Jesus came into the world for our salvation.

In the gospel for today’s Holy Mass, we hear the Lord encouraging us to focus on the end times. The Lord talks about seeing the Son of man coming in a cloud with “great power and majesty.” During this time of preparation for Christmas Day we are to be reminded that we are to remain focused on the fact that this time on earth is brief, and that we are to focus on the fact that it will all come to an end. We do not know when, but we are to live out our daily lives in readiness. Our time before the Lord will happen when we least expect it. We are not to live in fear of the end, but to live a life in anticipation of the Lord’s coming by always remaining focused on following his commandments of Love of God and love of neighbor.

Throughout this period of preparation for the celebrations of the Birth of the Lord, we need to be as diligent in the preparation of our souls for the ultimate meeting of the Lord, whether it’s at the end of the world, or our own eventual meeting of the Lord at the end of our own lives. We know not when either will occur. So, as we prepare for Christmas gifts and Christmas parties, we need to prepare for our own ultimate meeting with the Lord.

Further, during this time of chaos in preparation for the Celebration of Christmas, we are to make quiet time for the study Scripture and do spiritual reading to be open to what the Lord is calling us to do in this life. We are always to be open to God’s Holy Will in our Day to Day lives.

We, as Christians, are instructed to be watchful and ready, living in anticipation of Jesus's return by sharing the good news and living lives of faithful anticipation. Throughout this month in preparation for Christmas, and for the rest of our lives, we are to be true examples of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ. We, like John the Baptist, are called to always point everyone towards Jesus Christ and encourage people to repent and to embrace Jesus as the Messiah.

During this time of Advent, in preparation for the birth of Jesus, and for the eventual end times that Jeus talks about, let us always live our lives in joyful anticipation. Let us all be examples of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ in a world busy with greed and selfishness. Let us always point towards Jesus Christ, our savior.

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | USCCB

This weekend, with the commemoration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we bring the church year to an end. Next week a new church year starts with the First Sunday of Advent, and we start to prepare for the  celebration of the birth of Our Lord on Christmas day just four weeks away.

This feast of Christ the King originated in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. The world of 1925 was full of wars and dictators, all seeking to be the center of the world. They were all trying to get attention and loyalty. Pope Pius XI, seeing this, wanted to remind the world that the ultimate person who deserves our loyalty is Jesus Christ. He is the true king of the world and of the universe. No earthly king, president or dictator can ever replace Jesus Christ in our lives. Jesus Christ is the ultimate king and deserve our love and devotion.

Now, just a hundred years later, these various superpowers have come and gone. There was the Soviet Union, the Third Reich in Germany, the Japanese emperor. All of them gone. But now, today, there are those who are still attempting to gain control of the world. We see with Russia invading the Ukraine, attempting to expand the borders of Russia with war. We see the war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas with the hatred between those two groups. We see people focusing more on hate and division, and ignoring the fact that we are all made in God’s image and deserve to live a life of peace and mutual respect. They have left Jesus Christ out of their lives and continue to wage wars on each other due to mutual hate and a feeling that their own ethnic group is superior to the other.

In our gospel for today we see Jesus at his weakest. He is on the cross, condemned to death by the scribes and Pharisees. He was accused of blasphemy: of making himself out to be God, something that they couldn’t accept. While on the Cross, they mocked him: “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him, Pilate placed the inscription “This is the King of the Jews.” Of all people, Pilate seemed to have got it right: for indeed Jesus is indeed a king.

Though Jesus appears to be week while on the cross, we must remember that it is there that he indeed is the strongest. It is there that Jesus took upon himself our sins and they were nailed to the cross with him. In this way Jesus Christ was able to die for each one of us and to bring forgiveness of sins to the world.

It is through the Cross that our souls and spirits can be healed. It is the cross that brings us back to the Father. It is through the Cross that we learn the truth about sin and about God’s forgiveness. It is through the cross that brings salvation to all people, no matter how sinful they may be. No matter how sinful a person may have been in his or her life, they can find forgiveness and peace through the power of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

There are many people who approach death and find that Jesus is the only person they can turn to to find peace and forgiveness. Whatever they may have done in their life, no matter how sinful they may have been, they can find love and forgiveness from Jesus Christ, though the power of his cross.

The Cross is a busy place and always will be. It’s always good for us to turn to Jesus on the Cross and to seek forgiveness for whatever sins and failures we may have done over our life. Then, after meditating upon the cross, to get the full benefit of the Lord’s forgiveness, we should go to confession for the times that we failed to turn to him as we should. Then, through the power of the absolution, we will receive forgiveness and that peace that can only come from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, looking at the kingdom of Christ, we don’t see a kingdom of castles, armies, kings or queens, presidents or dictators. What we do see is a kingdom of people forgiven of their sins and now following Jesus Christ to bring true peace to the world. We see people  healed and forgiven and at peace in their relationship with God and with each other.

The Kingdom of Christ here on earth is those of us who have turned away from a life of sin and selfishness and have turned to God. Christ is not just a king from his throne in heaven, but from the inner most recesses of our hearts. We are to make Christ the king of our lives and to bring this kingship of Christ to those in our lives that may not know who Christ is.

As we finish this church year and start preparing for the birthday of the Lord on Christmas day, let us always reflect on the cross. Let us place the cross prominently in our homes in order for Christ the King to reign over us. Let us also, throughout the new church year, make time to read and reflect upon scripture in order to become more Christ centered. Let us always be proud that Jesus Christ is our Lord and King.

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. Wisdom 3:1

 

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
    and no torment shall touch them. Wisdom 3:1

Every November the Church asks us to turn our attention to praying for our daily departed friends and family members who have gone before us. Often, during All Souls Day Masses, or at Funeral Masses, one of the readings is from Wisdom, chapter 3. We hear the familiar phrase, “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” We have the hope that all of us, when it's time to go home to the Lord, will enter purgatory, a time of purification, before we can enter the glory of heaven. Once we are in purgatory, we rely on the prayers of others to help us reach our final destination: heaven.

With that in mind it’s important for us to remember that it’s our Christian duty to pray for all our dearly departed family members who have gone before us. They need our prayers to help them in their journey to heaven. So, it’s important to have masses said for them on either the anniversary of their death or on the anniversary of their birthday. Further we can pray a rosary for the repose of their souls. Also, in the Liturgy of the Hours, there is the “Office of the Dead” which we can use to pray for our loved ones who have left us behind. It doesn’t matter how long our loved ones have been gone: it’s important to constantly pray for the repose of their souls.

Furthermore, in addition to November 2^nd being All Souls Day on the General Calendar, there is the Carmelite All Souls Day on November 15^th. It is on this day we remember our dearly departed Carmelite brothers and sisters in the First, Second and Third Order that are now in purgatory. Let us remember all those Carmelites that have gone before us.

Following is the prayer to be used on the Carmelite All Souls Day: Lord, you are the glory of all those who serve you. Look lovingly on our departed brothers and sisters, united in following Christ and his Mother by the waters of baptism and the bonds of Carmel. In your mercy grant them everlasting sight of you their Creator and Redeemer. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

May the Souls of the dearly departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!

 

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

In our first reading from Maccabees, we hear of Mattathias and his devotion to his faith in the true God as understood by the Hebrew people. His love and devotion for God was more important to him than the anything else in his life, even to the point of leaving all his possessions in the city rather than stay in Modein to worship a false god and face certain death. God, as understood by Mattathias, was the God found in the Hebrew scriptures, the Torah. This is the one true God as understood by Mattathias. To worship any other god would be heresy. So, rather than obey the kings command to sacrifice to false gods, he chose to leave everything behind in order to be obedient to God’s Will. He remained focused on the one true God.

Mattathias is an example of how we are to live out our own lives in the practice of our faith as understood in the Catholic Church. We are called, like Mattathias, to be obedient to God’s law, no matter the consequences. God and His laws are to be more important than the secular things of this world.

While we may not be called to the same violent actions as Mattathias, we can be called to a similar spiritual "zeal" to stand up for our faith and values in a world that often pressures us to compromise. We are called to reflect on where we stand in relationship to God, others, and ourselves, and to act with courage. 

We are called to love God with all our minds, hearts and soul, and our neighbors as ourselves. This is very countercultural. Today’s society pushes for love of goods and objects rather than love of God. Society pushes us to “worship” things first, rather than to develop that relationship with God. That is what drove Mattathias to leave all behind. He wanted to do God’s Will rather than to cave into what society was pushing him to do.

As we approach Advent and start to prepare for the celebration of the birthday of Jesus, let us remain focused on our faith and relationship with God. Let us turn to God often in prayer for the times we may fall short in doing his Will. Let us also pray for those people we encounter that reject God and act out in ways that are violent towards all we hold dear. Praying for those people who act in hateful ways towards us and our faith is what the Lord is expecting us to do. Prayer can bring healing to them and help them discover that God truly loves them.

Lord God, we ask your blessing upon all of us and on all who are struggling with issues of anger and hostility. We pray for peace and healing upon those who are struggling this day and need to know your loving kindness towards them. Amen.

For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.

 

The scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin | USCCB

As we get closer to the end of the liturgical year and start the new church year with the First Sunday of Advent on November 30th, the gospel readings are starting to point towards the "end times." The Pharisees were anxious to see the Kingdom of God come and be face to face with God in the glory of heaven.

Jesus helps them to refocus and has them realize that the Kingdome of God is all around us in the here and now. Eventually, the end of the world will occur, but we don't know when that will be. The Lord is telling them (and us) to not be so concerned about when the end will come but rather focus on the fact that God is present every moment we're alive in the here and now. Jesus is reminding us to not worry about what will happen at the end of the world, but to focus on the fact that we need to live out our lives now by following the Ten Commandments, and by loving God and neighbor. Worrying about the end of the world and the Coming of the Kingdom of God is a waste of time. What we need to focus upon is how we are living out our lives, knowing that God is always present. 

Let us always focus on the fact that God is with us and ask him to help us grow ever closer to him by how we live our lives. Let us pray often, reflect upon scripture daily and be grateful to Him for the gift of life that he has given us. 

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

 

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

In our gospel we see another confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus. There he was having dinner in one of their homes, and yet they were looking for ways to jump on him and accuse him of breaking the Jewish laws. We hear in the gospel, “…the people were observing him carefully.”  (Luke 14:1) It’s as if Jesus is being put on the spot.

For the Jewish people, the most important thing in their relationship with God is to make sure they meticulously keep the laws out of fear of being condemned by God. They failed to see that the laws did not prevent them from doing good on the Sabbath. They fell silent when Jesus asked them, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” (Luke 14:3) The Pharisees' silence reveals their unwillingness to answer, as they know their own beliefs are flawed. They value their traditions more than the man's suffering.

Jesus goes on to heal the man with dropsy and then teaches that helping those in need doesn’t break the Sabbath laws but instead fulfills the laws of Love that comes from God. Further, the Lord is teaching us that we are to move beyond being legalistic and to remember that, while it’s important to keep the commandments of God, we should not ignore the needs of those around us as we attempt to keep God’s laws. 

This gospel is a call to prioritize mercy over legalism. It challenges us to examine our own lives and see where we might be putting rules and regulations ahead of people. 

This gospel is another example of what the Lord teaches us elsewhere in the gospels: we are to not only love God with our whole mind, heart and soul, but we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. This includes even giving them help when it might not be convenient. It’s not always easy, but we need to see the Lord in all people we meet and reach out to them in their need, as the Lord reached out to this man with dropsy. In this way, the Lord can work through us to bring healing to those we encounter each day. In doing so, we will be bringing the Love of God to those in most need of receiving God’s love and healing.

For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.

 

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

In our first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, Paul is talking about the challenges of attempting to live a life as a follower of Jesus Christ. He acknowledges all the temptations that come about because of just being human.

We all know the commandments of love of God and love of neighbor. Further we know we need to avoid looking lustfully at other people we may find attractive. All these things take us away from living a God centered life.

These are all struggles we face daily. For instance, it is good and right to love all people in our lives, but what about those people that get on our nerves? Do we love them as we should? Or do we harbor hatred or resentment towards them? That goes back to what Paul is saying, “For I do not do the good I want but I do the evil I do not want.”

Paul is pointing out the ongoing struggle we have is teaching us that, in all humility, we need to rely on the presence of Christ in our lives to help us to respond to these temptations that take us away from Him.

While the struggle with sin will continue until we are fully free in heaven, we are not left alone to fight alone. The same Holy Spirit that resurrected Jesus can give our mortal bodies new life, empowering us to choose the good and overcome in.

During these struggles it’s important to turn to the Lord in prayer to ask for strength to respond to temptation in a way pleasing God. Further, through the sacrament of Confession, we can receive the gift of forgiveness for the times we fall short and receive strength through the sacrament to pick ourselves up and to attempt to live a life pleasing to God.

Through the intercession of St. Paul, and our guardian angels, let us pray for the strength to always live a life of love of God and love of neighbor. Let us not despair during times we may fail but be grateful for the gift of forgiveness God gives us each time we repent and turn back to him.

 

I wrote the following for my Lay Carmelite Community.

In the month of October, we have two very special Carmelite saints to commemorate. We start the month off with the Little Flower: Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus. Then on October 15^th, we commemorate Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Avila). Both are, because of their writings, considered Doctors of the Church.

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, while reading the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians when Paul spoke of love being the root of all vocations in the Church, realized that her vocation was that of “love.” She is quoted as saying, “Yes, I have found my place in the Church and it is you, O my God, who have given me this place: in the heart of the Church, my mother, I shall be love.” She realized that doing all things withing the church without love of God or love of neighbor was meaningless.

With St. Teresa of Jesus, she realized that we need to always live in the presence of God. “Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a teacher as is Jesus Christ, can endure all things. Christ helps us and strengthens us and never fails; he is a true friend.” So, as e live out our Carmelite vocation within the Catholic Church, let us always remember to live in the presence of Jesus. No matter what problems we are facing, if we remember that Jesus is present to us, he’ll help us through our difficulties.

Further, in all that we do, as St. Theresa of Jesus reminds us, we need to have love as the foundation in all we do, whether in our worship of God, or in our dealings with others. Our vocation is to love God with our whole mind, heart, and soul, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus and St. Teresa of Jesu, pray for us.

Whoever listens to you listens to me.

 

For the scripture readings for this reflection, go to: Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

In our gospel for today Jesus is expressing frustration at those people around him that find it hard to accept him and his teachings. They were present for all his various miracles and healings, and yet they find it hard to accept him for who he is: the long-awaited Messiah.

Our Lord says, “For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have long ago repented…” I often wonder why it was so hard for people, who witnessed the great things Jesus had done, would not have become his followers? Were they so comfortable with their sinful lives that they were unwilling to turn to the Lord in repentance and accept him as Messiah?

Human nature being what it is, people find it easy to just to continue with their familiar ways of living. Putting God first in their lives means work. It means realizing that we need to repent from our sinfulness and to turn to God in love. It means doing some extra work to become a person who loves God with our whole being and to love others as we love ourselves. People tend to find it hard to turn away from their comfortable lives. They find it hard to live a spiritual life with God in the center of who they are. They prefer putting their self-interests ahead of obeying God’s laws of love towards Him and towards others.

Let us not fall into that way of living. We, as followers of Jesus Christ, are called to listen to Jesus through His teachings in Scripture and His teachings as understood in the Catholic Church. Let us repent of any sinfulness we may be guilty of. Let us always keep an open ear, an open mind, and an open heart to where the Lord is calling us to be: people who love God and are willing to serve him in how we live out our lives as Christians.

You cannot serve both God and mammon

 

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 Blog of Dcn. Thomas Tortorella for XXV Sunday in Ordinary Time by Fr. Arthur F. Rojas

© All Rights Reserved personally by Rev. Fr. Arthur F Rojas, September 18 th , 2025 ©

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

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In the Ordinary Form, the readings of Sunday, September 21 st speak to our times quite directly, namely Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; and Luke 16:1-13. Dear parishioners of the Extraordinary Form, although I know that your readings today are from Galatians 5:25-26, 6:1-10; and Luke 7:11-16, in light of recent events please consider these following points for all Catholics and people of good will.

Two common threads of the readings in the Ordinary Form are the supremacy of God and its impact on how we treat our neighbor, both high and low. Consider the denunciations of the prophet St. Amos of mistreatment of the poor and manipulation of norms by special interests, the Responsorial Psalm’s praise of God’s supremacy and His aid to the poor, the exhortation of the apostle St. Paul to St. Timothy and a broader audience (including you and me) to pray for our civil authorities, and the Gospel’s trenchant reminder that we should maintain God’s trust in us, let alone our trust in Him. As more and more Americans lack appreciation, even simple respect for the image of God in each human person, let alone our neighbor in this country, state, city, or town, from our secularized society’s increasingly overt rejection of a transcendent Supreme Being, thus we cannot be surprised that from turning our collective back on God, then we turn increasingly against each other, starting from the highest echelons of society and wounding so many families and relationships in our midst.

It is facile, in other words a cop-out, for one faction to point fingers at another faction in America when anyone with an attention span past several minutes or a historical memory past the last presidential election would notice that certain public figures who decried cancel culture at one time now clamor for it to advance their causes. Ironically, in quoting the words of a recently murdered public speaker and debater for reviving public debate and encouraging robust and civil exchange of views, the rhetoric and deeds of these persons foment further suppression of the freedoms of speech and expression in our country. Instead of merely reacting, let us think and pray before responding to the contemporary turbulence.

Let’s ask, what would count as actionable “hate speech” in the future when the balance of power changes at one level or another? Would preaching Biblical truth count, whether from a pulpit or on a tee-shirt or via social media? Common experience points to both left and right hands being on the throat of our God-given rights to freedom of speech, and collaterally, the free exercise of religion. As these hands from public and private sectors, even if serially, move to constrict public debate on a range of issues, both domestic and foreign, then as we address and engage each other less and less as neighbors, if not as brethren in Christ when applicable, it will become even easier to dehumanize and demonize each other, as what happened tragically in Spain in the early-to-mid 1930s. While human laws and policies have their proper place to ensure peace and good order, in the spirit of today’s readings more importantly we Americans – starting with us Catholic Americans - need to recover a Godly respect for each other and to reclaim the eroded practices of courtesy and good manners so that we may live in true freedom and not entrench the sway of might or Mammon. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Our Lady of the Hudson, pray for us!

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Optional Memorial of Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr | USCCB

Today we commemorate the feast of St. Januarius, bishop and martyr. Many know him better as San Gennaro. Probably most notable here in New York City is the feast down on Mulberry Street in honor of San Gennaro. It goes for several blocks, lasts about 11 days, and celebrates the life of someone we know very little about.

What little we know of him was that he was a bishop martyred in 305 AD during the Great Persecution, and a core part of his veneration involves the miraculous liquefaction of his blood, an event seen as a sign of protection. It was reported that this miracle happened again today. Finally, San Gennaro is considered a patron saint of Naples and is greatly venerated there.

The fact that he was a martyr for the faith tells us a lot about what kind of person he was. He was willing to put his faith in Jesus Christ first in spite of the possibility of being put to death. In our gospel for today we hear Jesus tell us, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” San Gennaro knew these words well and was able to preserve his life for eternal life and is now an example of what it means to be a Christian.

St. Augustine was able to understand what San Gennaro was facing in being a bishop and eventually a martyr when he 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 and San Gennaro took their call as bishops seriously and knew they would be held accountable to the Lord on judgment day.

Most all of us will never rise to the level of being a bishop or face the possibility of being a martyr for the faith. But we are called, like San Gennaro, to follow and serve Jesus Christ as his followers. It isn’t easy and is often considered counter cultural. San Gennaro found this out when he was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. Like San Gennaro, all of us are called to keep Jesus as the center of who we are. We are called to love and serve him in how we live and treat others. We are called to love God with our whole mind, heart and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Not an easy thing to do.

Let us pray for our bishops and priests and for each other to be better examples of what it means to be called “Christian.”

Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

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

In our gospel for today we hear the familiar story of the sinful woman weeping at feet of Jesus and washing them with oil and her tears. She is described only as a “sinful woman,” but it’s unclear what kind of sin she was guilty of or who she was. St. Luke only describes her as a “sinful woman” that is seeking forgiveness for her sins. In her humility and sorrow for her sins, she approached Jesus in front of everyone present, not caring what other people would think of her. She was only concerned with showing repentance for her sinfulness and receiving forgiveness from the Lord.  She had the faith that Jesus would forgive her of all her sins.

In contrast, we have Simon, the Pharisee, who was not only judging the woman, but judging Jesus. We read, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is touching him, that she is a sinner.” In effect, Simon is condemning not only the woman, but Jesus as well. This Pharisee failed to understand that Jesus was more than a prophet: Jesus was the Messiah, able to bring forgiveness and reconciliation to all people. The woman recognized this of Jesus. She saw him as Messiah, and that he would have the power to forgive her sins and help her develop a loving relationship with God that she needed.

Jesus responds to the Pharisee, pointing out that he failed to show him any respect by embracing him, or giving him water to wash his feet. Jesus goes on to tell Simon, “So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.” Then turning to the woman, Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

This sinful woman serves as an example for all of us. We know that we can turn to Jesus for forgiveness of all our sins, whether they are great or small. Jesus is there for us to turn to him in the sacrament of confession ready to give us his forgiveness. It is through our faith in Jesus that we, too, can receive that gift of forgiveness for whatever sins we may have committed.

Let us take time to meditate on this gospel and be grateful that Jesus is always there for us in all our needs. We just need to turn to him and show him the same love that this woman showed him. Then he, in turn, will tell us: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Most Holy Name of Mary

 

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

Today we commemorate the Holy Name of Mary, a feast that was created by Pope Innocent XI in 1684 to commemorate the Battle of Vienna in 1683. During the liturgical reform of Vatican II, it was removed from the general calendar but later restored by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Mary has always been held in high honor in our Catholic understanding of God’s salvation for mankind. It is through her “fiat” or “yes” that Jesus was to come into the world through her, thus making her the Mother of God, since Jesus is true God and true Man. Her whole life was centered in her devotion to God and her awaiting the coming of the Savior that all devoted Jewish people were waiting for. So, when the Angel Gabriel came to ask her to be the mother of the savior, she at first was hesitant. She couldn’t understand how that would come to be since she was not yet living with Joseph as his wife. When the Angel further explained that it was to be through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary quickly said yes, thus ensuring our salvation.

The example of her life and her humility in following God’s plan for salvation is something that we can emulate for ourselves. Though she knew she was going to have problems in being the mother of the Lord, she never hesitated in saying yes to God. She humbly embraced her role that God had laid out for her as Mother of Jesus. We all have our call from God to bring Christ into the world in our own situations. We are called to bring Christ into our family relationships, in our friendships, or among those we may work with at our jobs. We humbly bring Christ into each situation we face each day.

We hear in today’s gospel about Mary’s visitation to her elderly cousin Elizabeth during her time of need. At this point Elizabeth was already 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary came to be of service to Elizabeth to help her through what probably was a very difficult time for the elderly Elizabeth.

Elizabeth recognized the greatness of Mary and the fact that Mary was carrying the Messiah in her womb. Once Mary arrived, we hear Elizabeth say, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” These are words that we, as Catholics, say each time we pray the Hail Mary. Elizbeth and John in her womb recognized the holiness of Mary and the fact that Mary was carrying the Mesiah in womb.

Mary’s response was "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior." Let all of us each day, with Mary, always keep the Lord in the center of who we are. Let always proclaim the greatness of the Lord and rejoice in the fact that God is our savior.

 

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

I had the pleasure of doing a Holy Hour at the Carmel of Mary Immaculate and St. Mary Magdalen in Flemington, NJ. For more information on this Carmelite Monastery, go to their website: The Carmel of Mary Immaculate and St Mary Magdalen. Following was my reflection on today's gospel from Holy Mass.

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

In our gospel for today Jesus is giving us some strong examples of what it means to be His follower. He starts off with, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Pretty strong words. Then he goes on to tell us that we must carry our crosses, or we cannot be his disciples.

How can we better understand what Jesus is trying to tell us? I think that what he’s trying to get across by using such strong imagery is that we need to prioritize.

There were indeed those followers over the years who put everything and everyone behind them to be His followers. The 12 apostles and his other followers placed Jesus before everything else in their lives. Then there were people like St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare that took everything Jesus said literally and went off to form the Franciscans and Poor Clare’s. Further, there was John of the Cross and St. Theresa of Avila who knew that following Jesus was not meant to be easy. So, they reformed the Carmelite Order to be a truer example of what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ.  These are people we all know and love for their devotion and dedication to following Jesus Christ.

For the rest of us who have family responsibilities, how can we be true followers of Jesus without leaving behind those that we love? We want to be followers of Jesus, but we simply can’t renounce our families and possessions without being considered irresponsible.

Looking deeply into being a follower of Jesus and the cost of discipleship has to do with freedom of heart: holding possessions without possessiveness may be a way we achieve freedom from things. In other words, they are tools for us to use during our day-to-day life, but they are not to become more important than being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Same with our families: Jesus is not telling us literally to hate our families but rather is telling us that being his follower is more important than they are. We are called to care for and love our families, but our responsibilities as His followers is more important.

The gospel concludes with “…anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” By renouncing them and making Jesus the central focus of who we are is where Jesus is calling us. Let us pray for the gift of true faith to always keep Jesus as the center of who we are while serving those people that he has placed into our lives. In this way we can truly love God with our whole mind, heart and soul, and those in our lives as we love ourselves.

Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation

 

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

In our first reading from St. Paul to the Colossians we hear Paul teach a basic truth about Jesus Christ: he is True God and True Man. Paul goes on to explain that all things were created in him in heaven and earth.

This teaching of Paul corresponds to what is said in the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 1: “In the beginning^* was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John goes on to say that all things came into being through him and without him nothing came into being. Then finally in verse 14 we hear John say, “And the Word was made flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Jesus’ coming into the world shows the love that God has for all of us. Due to the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, God decided to send his only begotten Son, the second person of the Trinity, into the world to redeem us and to help us to have that relationship with God that was lost due to original sin. Through his life, death and resurrection, we are able to turn to God and have that relationship that was lacking prior to Jesus coming in the flesh.

In our gratitude towards Jesus and his love for us, let us return our love to him by living a life that is worthy of being called Christian. In being Christians, we are called to love God with our whole mind, heart and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we fall short in this love of God and neighbor, let us turn back to him in the sacrament of confession. In this way we can be living reflections of God to the world.

On this feast day of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, let us remember what she said regarding love of others: "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier". 

 

“The head of John the Baptist.”

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist | USCCB

Today we commemorate the martyrdom of John the Baptist. John is considered the forerunner of the Lord, Jesus Christ. From the time he was in his mother’s womb until he was killed by King Herod, he was always pointing people towards Jesus Christ and encouraging people to know the truth that Jesus was the savior. Important to him was that people knew and understood God’s commandments. He was never afraid to speak the truth, even when it meant his life

In today’s gospel, we hear that Herod liked to hear John speak: “When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. (Mark 6:20) John was pointing out the sinfulness of the adulterous relationship Herod was having with his brother’s wife. There was something in what John was saying that touched King Herod’s heart. But because of lust and of fear of being rejected by those around him, Herod had John killed.

John’s bravery in speaking the truth, even though it meant being put to death, is an example for all of us. We are called to proclaim the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we are also called to encourage others to follow God’s commandments. This may not go over well with those we meet who may be living contrary to God’s Laws, like King Herod, but we are called to bring people to knowledge of Jesus Christ and of God’s laws. We may not be called to live out our lives as dramatically as John the Baptist, but we are called to live out our Christian lives in a way that people may be attracted to know who Jesus is and to encourage them to live a Christian life.

Saint Bede the Venerable is quoted as saying about John, “Through his birth, preaching and baptizing, he bore witness to the coming birth, preaching and baptism of Christ, and by his own suffering he showed that Christ also would suffer.” We are to be like John the Baptist, bearing witness to Jesus Christ and the salvation he won for us by his Passion and Death on the Cross. We may have to suffer at times for speaking this truth, but it is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus Christ.

May God give us courage to always live out our lives as followers of Jesus Christ, and to be always willing to bring others to the knowledge that Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior.

The Queenship of Mary

 

Scripture readings for today can be found at Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB

Today the church commemorates The Queenship of Mary. Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. This memorial was related to the Feast of the Assumption. The Feast of the Queenship of Mary was set a week after her Assumption, body and soul, into heaven.

It is entirely appropriate that Mary be made Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her entire life was that of doing the Holy Will of God. Her openness to doing God’s Will was evident from the start when the Angel Gabriel approached her to ask if she would be willing to be the mother of the Savior. After the angel explained how it would occur, Mary quickly said yes, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Mary listened to what the Angel had to say, and was courageous enough to say yes, even though she probably knew it would cause a lot of problems and difficulties for her in her life. But she trusted that God would be present for her to guide her throughout her life as Mother of the Savior. She had total trust that God would protect her throughout her life.

Following Mary saying “yes” to being the Mother of the Lord, she goes to serve and help her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. This trip for Mary, now pregnant with Jesus, would have been a difficult journey, but she made this journey out of love and concern for Elizabeth. Upon Mary’s arrival, Elizabeth says, “Why am I so greatly favored that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” (Luke 1:43) It was then that Mary gives us the Magnificat, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…” (Luke 1:46) This prayer, prayed daily at Evening Prayer, shows the humility Mary has towards all that has happened to her. She was always open to doing the Will of God no matter how difficult, but she accepted it out of love for the Lord.

Then all throughout the life of Jesus, from his birth until his death on the cross to his resurrection on Easter Sunday morning, Mary was always present to him in his needs. Looking lovingly from the Cross, the Lord saw Mary there, tears in her eyes. Jesus also saw the beloved disciple, John. At that point Jesus give Mary to John, and to us: “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27)

So, with all we know of Mary from scripture, it’s no wonder that God, in his Wisdom, after Assuming Mary into heaven, would make her Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Mary, our Queen, is now in heaven at the side of Our King, Jesus Christ. Let us always feel free to turn to our loving mother with all our problems and concerns in order for her to bring them to her divine Son to respond in the way that’s best for us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners, now and forever.

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

 

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

Today we commemorate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. In the Eastern Church, they understand it as the dormition, or falling asleep, of Mary.

The Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII defined it on November 1^st, 1950 as the assumption of Mary, body and soul, into heaven. The four dogmas of Mary in Catholic theology are: Divine Motherhood (Theotokos), Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, and Assumption. These dogmas are considered to be divinely revealed truths that Catholics are obligated to believe. 

Because of the grace of her Immaculate Conception, Mary’s whole life was centered to be always open to the Holy Will of God. God was always center to who she was as a Jewish woman. She long awaited the coming of the Messiah. So she was very surprised to find out, through the Angel Gabriel, that she herself would be the mother of the Messiah. Her willingness to do God’s Will led her to say “Yes” to Gabriel, and as a result she conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In our gospel for today we hear of her visiting her cousin, Elizabeth, who is six months pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth recognized the importance of Mary and asked, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Further, John, in his mother’s womb, leaped for joy at the presence of his cousin, so close to him in Mary’s womb.

Mary responds with the Magnificat, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” This prayer of Mary is prayed every Evening by the church during Evening Prayer. Mary in her humility realized that all generations will call her blessed.

It is through her life of service to her Son, and those around her, that God decided that her body would know no corruption of the grave. When it was time, God the Father brought her to heaven to be with her loving Son, Jesus Christ.

Mary is an example of how we, as followers of Jesus Christ, are to live out our lives while still here on earth. When Mary became pregnant with Jesus, she became a walking tabernacle, carrying Jesus everywhere she went until the day he was born. We, too, become walking tabernacles each time we receive Holy Communion at Mass. We say “yes” to Jesus as we receive Him in Holy Communion with our “Amen.”

With that in mind, let us remember that when we leave church, the Lord Jesus Christ is traveling with us as well. With His presence sacramentally in us, let us remember to bring His love to all we meet during the day.

 

We greet you, Holy Cross, our only hope!

 

Today on the Church calendar we commemorate Blessed Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, better known as Edith Stein. 

Edith Stein was born to a Jewish family in Beslau on October 12th, 1891. She studied philosophy and was a college professor. For a while she had turned away from believe in God and became agnostic. But she was always seeking the truth and understanding as to our human existence.  Then she read the Autobiography of St. Theresa of Avila. She read this in one night and realized that she had discovered the truth and came to faith in Jesus Christ. 

She was baptized a Catholic in 1922 and then, influenced by her reading of St. Theresa of Avila, entered the Carmelite Monastery of Cologne in 1933. It was there that she took the religious name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Through her influence, her biological sister, Rosa, also converted to the Catholic Faith and would be an extern for the needs of the Carmelite Community that Edith was a member of.

It was during this time that the Nazi's were spreading their hatred by rounding up the Jews and all they considered undesirable. It was during this time that the Nazis rounded up Edith and her sister Rose. Both were murdered in the gas chamber at Auschwitz. 

In her spiritual writings, Edith would always focus on the sufferings of Jesus on the Cross. She once wrote, "Contemplate the Lord who hangs before you on the wood, because he was obedient even to the death of the cross." It was through the strength of her faith in Jesus that she was able to face her death at Auschwitz.

Let us pray today, through the intersession of Edith Stein, that the hatred and war that is going on between Israel and Hamas be resolved in a way that is pleasing to God. Let us pray that all hatred, which is the cause of all war, be removed from our world and that we may grow to love and respect all people, even with those people we may not find easy to get along with. 

“Lord, save me!”

 

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

There's a lot to unpack in today's gospel from St. Matthew. The first thing that touches my heart is at the beginning. After dismissing the crowds and sending the disciples into the boat to precede him to the other side of the sea, the Lord went up the mountain to pray. All throughout the gospels the Lord teaches us the importance of being alone with God in prayer and meditation. We can do that in many different ways. The Lord chose to go up the mountain to be with God and to pray and meditate. For myself, I often pray and meditate alone in the morning just after rising. I take my breviary and bible, and I take time to pray and focus on what God is trying to tell me in the Divine Office and the readings assigned for mass that day. It is during this time alone that helps me get closer to the Lord and to try to be open to what God is trying to teach me for that day. It's important for me to have scripture as part of my daily meditation so that I can allow God to speak to me through the Holy Bible. I encourage this routine for anyone trying to get closer to God. Find a time of day, whether in the morning or the evening, to be quiet with God and to meditate on the Word of God in your life.

The other part of today's Gospel that touches me is the storm that breaks out and there's the Lord walking towards them. They failed to recognize him at first, but he reassures them that it is truly him that is coming towards them on the water. He invites Peter to walk on the waters towards him. At first, Peter is walking on the water towards Jesus. But as soon as he takes his eyes off of the Lord he starts to sink. He then prays, "Lord, save me!" The Lord extends his hand and Peter is saved.

How many times during our lives do we take our spiritual eyes off of Jesus and then to start having problems in our lives (which are pretty much the storms of our lives)? It is during these "storms" in our lives that we need to pray to Jesus, "Lord, save me!" Jesus will always extend his hands towards us and brings us the peace and comfort that we need to deal with whatever issues we are facing. It's always important to keep reaching out to Jesus in good times and bad times so that we can have the peace and comfort that can only come from Him.

"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house."

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | USCCB

In our gospel for today we hear of how the people that knew Jesus growing up had a problem with who he was and the wisdom he was exhibiting as the Messiah. They even had problems accepting the miracles that were attributed to him. They were saying, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?” (Matthews 13:14) It reminds me of that old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” They had trouble wrapping their minds around the fact that someone they knew from childhood could be so special. They just considered him as someone ordinary.

These people of His hometown thought they knew who he was. They were thinking that Jesus was just a “nobody” from Nazareth. They thought he was just the carpenter’s son. They thought they knew him and as a result looked down on him. They were thinking that he wasn’t special. But as it turns out they didn’t really know him. And because they did not have faith in him, Jesus could not perform any miracles there.

This shows that faith is essential in our relationship with Jesus. All throughout his ministry while on earth, he would often tell someone that their faith in him was the cause of their healing. For example, the woman with the issue of the blood disease in Mark 5:34 and Luke 8:48, we hear Jesus tell the woman that her faith has healed her and to go in peace.

As with individuals described in scripture who experienced healing through Jesus, we need to approach Him in prayer concerning the various challenges present in our lives.  We need to ask ourselves, “Do I really believe that Jesus can perform this miracle for me?” In Mark 5:28 we hear the woman in need of being cured say to herself: “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” We need that same faith in Jesus in the issues that we bring before him, whether it’s health issues, problems with family or financial problems. We need to reach out to Jesus in prayer and believe that he will help us in the way we need.

As we pray and bring our problems to the Lord at Mass, let’s bring all our needs to him as we approach him in Holy Communion and believe that he will bring us the healing and peace we long for in our lives.