Truly this man was the Son of God!

Scripture readings for Palm Sunday can be found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032518.cfm

This week our spiritual activities during Lent comes to a climax. In the gospel of St. Mark that will be read today at Mass we hear of the suffering and death of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A death that has changed the course of history.

In our first reading from Isaiah, we hear Isaiah prophesizing about Jesus when he says, "The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them." Isaiah 50:4 People were attracted to Jesus. People who were thought to be sinners and outcasts felt attracted to Jesus and all He was telling them about the love God had for them. People that Jesus wanted to bring back into relationship with God. As a result, the Scribes and Pharisees were jealous of the attention Jesus was getting. He was "rocking the boat"! They had Him Crucified because Jesus was considered a threat to their way of life.

Jesus changed the lives of many people while he was walking the earth. He was leading people back to God and to God's love and mercy. Even at His death on the Cross, the centurion said, "Truly this was the Son of God." (Mark 15:39) The centurion saw Jesus for who He was: The Son of God.

During this Holy Week, let's gaze on the crucifix, as the centurion did, and praise Jesus for who is: the Son of God. Ask Jesus to come into your life, with all your cares and concerns and ask Jesus to change your life for the better. The better way is the love and peace that can come only from faith in Jesus. Will the problems go away? No. But with Jesus we can deal with our problems in a way that is beneficial to us and pleasing to Him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son!!

Scripture readings can be found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031118-year-b.cfm

God's offer of salvation is a gift that sinful humanity does not deserve and has not, in any way, earned. But this gift does require a response and a commitment to turn away from darkness and live in the light of Christ.

How are we to turn away from the sinfulness of our lives to live in that light that comes from God? There are so many ways we can turn to God and live in the light.

First, our Lord is calling us to turn to God and to believe in the one He sent: Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came into this world "so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:15) Our first calling as Christians is to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and this will lead us to eternal life.

But it doesn't stop there. Believing alone in Jesus Christ, without action, will get us nowhere. Jesus tells us that the there's no place in the kingdom for those who do wicked things. Rather we are called to live the truth, "so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." (John 3:21) Jesus Christ is calling us to love God and to love our neighbor. We are to manifest the love of God in this world by sincerely living out our Christian vocation by living pure and loving lives, loving God, and loving those in our lives, even when those in our lives are sometimes not very loveable.

The Obedience of Christ

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“Jesus humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.  Because of this, God greatly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

It’s been a few weeks already since Ash Wednesday and we are in the middle of the Holy Season of Lent. Lent will come to a climax during Holy Week, starting on Palm Sunday on March 25^th. This journey of forty days leading up to the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ has hopefully made us more aware of our need and dependence on the love and forgiveness of God.

In St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians we learn that Jesus was humble and obedient to the Will of God, even to the point of death on the Cross. Doing the Will of His heavenly Father was central to all that Jesus was about. He was obedient to God in order to bring mankind into relationship and forgiveness with God.

We are all called, like Jesus, to be humble and obedient to the Will of God. Through the example of Jesus we are called to have love of God and of neighbor. Even during His suffering on the Cross, He was loving and forgiving to those who condemned Him to death. There may be times in our sufferings during our lifetime that we, like Jesus, may say, “MyGod, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34), but like Jesus, we know that God is always present in our sufferings and will help us in all our needs. In just a few days after Jesus was crucified, He rose from the dead, defeating death, and bringing us salvation and forgiveness with God our Father.

As we conclude our Lent, let us turn to God to seek His love and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession, and to love and respect those that God has place in our life. Then we can say with the apostle Paul, that “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:11)

Be reconciled to God

“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

On February 14^th, the Church enters into the Holy Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Lent is our 40 day journey, preparing ourselves for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the greatest of all feasts, The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Easter). It is during this time of prayer and fasting that we are called to come closer to the God who loves us, and redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross. We are to be reconciled to God!

As you approach the priest or deacon for your ashes, you will hear one of two phrases, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” We are being reminded of our complete dependence on God, and that He should be the center of our lives.

In the first reading for mass on Ash Wednesday from the prophet Joel, we hear, “...return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God...” (Joel 2:12-13) Joel is reminding us that God is deserving of our love and devotion. God is calling us into a loving relationship.

In our gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Jesus is reminding us to not “perform our righteous deeds in order that other people may see them...” (Matthew 6:1). Jesus goes on to indicate that in all we do, whether it’s righteous deeds, fasting, or praying, do it for the right reason: to enter into a deeper relationship with God. We are not doing these things for the approval of others, but rather out of love for God.

As we journey through Lent, I would like to suggest that you read scripture more often. If possible, take time out of the day to read the scripture readings that are assigned for daily mass. The magazine, The Magnificat, is a good tool to use for the reading of he Daily Mass Readings. Further, if you are able, try to attend weekday mass in addition to Sunday Mass. This way you will have more opportunity to receive our Lord in Holy Communion.

Finally, during Lent, make time to go to confession. It is through this Sacrament that we are reconciled to God and to those in our lives that we may feel separated from.

Have a good and prayerful Lent.

The Right to Life

"God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

It was on January 22, 1973 that the Supreme Court legalized abortion in the United States. In those 45 years since the legalization of this horrific law, countless numbers of innocent children have been killed. Children created in God's image, snuffed out and treated less than human. How can we justify allowing the taking of innocent and defenseless life?

There are those that feel that those in the pro-life movement are pro-life up to and until the child is born, then the mother is on her own. Part of being truly pro-life is to be available to the mothers and their children once the child is born. If the mother is unable or unwilling to keep the baby for whatever the reason, we need to step up to the plate to help find a loving home for that child. Further, we are to give love and support to the mother as well. Mothers with unexpected pregnancies often feel rejected by society and guilty for even considering abortion. We need to show these women love and respect. We are to help them through their need and the need of the child.

One way to do this is to support the Sister of Life, a religious order founded by John Cardinal O'Connor. This order was founded "for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life." To find out more about who they are and what they do, go to their website http://www.sistersoflife.org/ At this website you will find ways you can support the important work the sisters do in order to preserve and respect the dignity of all life.

Tomorrow I join the thousands of others going to Washington, D.C. to the March for Life. I pray that society will have a conversion and realize that every life matters, from the first moment of conception to the last breath. We are all made in the image of God. Let's treat these children in the womb as images of God, and pray that abortion will soon come to an end.

Epiphany

The Epiphany of the Lord

“They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the housethey saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselvesand did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered himgifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11

This may be surprising to a lot of people, but the Church is still celebrating Christmas! The Christmas season extends beyond December 25^th. The Christmas season concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, this year celebrated on the Church Calendar on Monday, January 8^th. This is all part of what many consider the three manifestations of Jesus to the world.

The first was on Christmas Day. He was made known to those around him. Once born the Shepherds heard of the birth of Jesus from the choirs of Angels announcing the good news of His birth. They came and did him homage.

The second manifestation occurs on the Feast of the Epiphany, this year celebrated on Sunday, January 7^th, 2018. The three wise men traveled a great distance, following the star as they went in search of this great event: the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. After consulting with King Herod, they found the Christ Child. This was the second manifestation: these three foreigners came at a great distance and discovered God’s presence in the form of Jesus Christ. They did him homage, giving Jesus their treasures. How often do we come into Christ’s presence at mass and give Him the attention that He deserves? The Three Wise men realized the special gift that was in front of them. When we’re at mass, we need to realize the gift that’s in front of us and give Christ our complete attention and love. The treasure that Jesus is searching for is our whole being, dedicated to loving Him and serving Him in how we live our lives.

The final manifestation is on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, when, while being baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and God the Father says, “You aremy beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11). Here God manifests Himself and shows that God is a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As we conclude this Christmas season, with the three ways God manifested Himself to us in history, let us continue to develop that relationship with Him by making Him the center of all who we are. We are to be focused on Him at Mass and worship Him as the three Kings did, and then we are to leave Church, with Christ in our hearts, to remind the world that Christ is in our midst.

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever, Deacon Tom Tortorella

Thanksgiving

For the scripture readings for today's reflection, go to: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112317-thanksgiving.cfm

What is thanksgiving? I think we often look at thanksgiving backwards. We think of thanksgiving as thanking God for something that has happened to us already. I believe the real purpose of giving thanks, though, is opening the door to even greater blessing. Thanksgiving becomes a window through which God's love shines.

Looking at the 10 lepers we have in today's gospel, what do we have? We have 10 men with a disease that has caused them to be outcasts in society. Because of their disease they weren’t allowed to be part of society. They were rejected and looked down upon. Leprosy was a disease for which there was no cure. In fact, leprosy was a death sentence carried out a little bit at a time—an arm now, a leg or ear later. Because the disease was thought to be highly contagious, lepers were driven out of town where they couldn't associate with anybody. These men were hopeless and helpless and alone, but they formed a fellowship among themselves. People feared catching the disease they carried. It is because of their disease that they stood at a distance from Jesus to speak with him.

Then they start hearing stories of this Jesus and all the miraculous healings he has been doing. They start hoping that they too will be healed by this Jesus of Nazareth. Their hopes began to rise. They reached the point of believing, so they began to dream. In spite of a hopeless disease, they began to feel there was a chance to live. Through fellowship, these ten lepers had the courage to keep going. Then they met Jesus and said to him, "Master, have mercy upon us." Everybody would have told them they were going to die, that it was useless to ask for help. If they had believed that, they would have died. But they came to our Lord, taking Jesus at his word that "All things are possible to him who believes."

Jesus saw a way to test their faith. He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." They could have looked at each other and said, "Well, nothing's happened to us. We're just the same as we were." Instead, they did what he said; they obeyed him. As they went, the blessing came—they were cleansed. What a tremendous experience!

The one that returned praising God shows what true gratitude and thanksgiving is all about. The other nine never returned to Jesus to thank him. They may have very well went on to the priests as Jesus requested to show that they were healed. But they were quick to forget the one who was responsible for their healing.

The one that returned was able to enter into a faith in Jesus as God. He was able to show that gratitude and thanksgiving to Jesus for the good that had happened to him. He was able to see the love of God in the healing that Jesus provided him.

We are called, like the Leper that was healed, to turn to Jesus in gratitude, trust and faith, not only in the good things we may have already received from the Hand of God, but we are to turn to Jesus in gratitude and faith for the good things that will happen to us. Faith is central in our relationship with Jesus. We are to trust that he is present in all our situations. We are to be truly grateful to him in all he does for us.

Each time we are at Mass, as we approach Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we are invited to say, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Then, as we leave church, we can rest assured that Jesus is saying to us, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”