Saint Jerome

The communion antiphon speaks well of the memorial that we celebrate today, Saint Jerome. "When I discovered your teaching, I devoured it. Your words brought me joy and gladness; you have called me your own, O Lord my God" (Jer 15:16). Saint Jerome is the one who translated the holy Scriptures into Latin. He also wrote commentaries about Sacred Scripture. He truly took the word of God to heart and devoured it like the prophet said. We need to do that in our own lives. The Bible is the divinely inspired word of God! There is so much that we can learn from the holy Scriptures and we need to do our part so that we can be fed. The Church sees the benefit of Sacred Scripture in her life. In fact, we are fed at Mass two times. We receive the Eucharist which is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. We receive Jesus himself and his Body and Blood are the food that we need on the journey of life and faith. We are also fed by the word of God. Listening to the holy Scriptures, taking them to heart, and putting them into practice is key. That is why the preacher has the task of opening up the word of God so that we can see how we are to live them each day. Even though the holy Scriptures were written centuries ago, they still apply to our lives today. Like Saint Jerome, let us run to receive the word and devour it because they will truly bring us joy and gladness! Blessings to You this day!!!

The Archangels

A beautiful feast the Church celebrates today as we remember the Archangels: Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael. As one commentary states, "The great archangels - Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael - lead the choirs of those awesome servants of God whom we picture as 'wings of the wind' and 'flashes of fire' and to whom we give the name 'angel,' meaning 'messenger'" (Magnificat, 371). The angels have their respective tasks and they truly watch over us. In fact, if this Sunday, October 2nd, did not fall on a Sunday, we would be celebrating the Memorial of the Guardian Angels. Each of us has a guardian angel to watch over us and protect us. Sacred Scripture even talks about angels and their role in our lives. One of the readings for today is from Revelation, 12:7-12ab. It talks about the battle that Michael and his angels had with the dragon and its angels. A tough battle but we know that good always triumphs over evil, so Michael and his angels prevailed. From the gospel, John 1:47-51, Jesus tells Nathaniel, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." The angels are there, we acknowledge their presence, and in a special way today we can rejoice with the psalmist who says, "In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord." Have a blessed day!!!

Following the Lord

The gospel is about following the Lord, Luke 9:57-62. There is a challenge when it comes to following the Lord and sometimes the challenge is us. We like to make excuses for not doing things. In the three encounters that our Lord had, each person had something to do. The first person told Jesus that he would follow him but our Lord said, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." There is no luxury when it comes to following the Lord and that seems to be the point that he is making. Of course, you are always on the go because the kingdom of God is at hand and the word of God needs to be proclaimed. The other person told Jesus that he had to bury his father and our Lord's response was, "Let the dead bury their dead." To the final person who said that he needed to say good-bye to his family Jesus responded, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God." Following Jesus, being a disciple, takes total commitment. The many facets of our lives do take care of themselves and we do what we can, but that should not be an excuse when it comes to Jesus call, "Follow me." Now is our time because the mission of the church and proclaiming the Good News has been entrusted to us. Let us not be afraid to respond to the call of our Lord because he is the way, the truth, and the life! God Bless You!!!

Saint Vincent de Paul

Many are familiar with Vincent de Paul Societies found in different parishes and communities. Their mission is to continue the work that Saint Vincent de Paul did in his own life. As one commentary states, "Saint Vincent was a man of many talents, but he is remembered especially as the great apostle to the poor" (Magnificat, 348). We remember from the scriptures that Jesus said the poor would always be with us but he would not be, which signified that he would be returning to the Father and be with us always in spirit and in the lives of others. Each one of us is called to do our part as we reach out to our brothers and sisters who are in need. We have that divine assistance with the example and prayers of Saint Vincent de Paul. We can make the opening prayer for Mass our own this day, "God our Father, you gave Vincent de Paul the courage and holiness of an apostle for the well-being of the poor and the formation of the clergy. Help us to be zealous in continuing his work" (351). We have been entrusted with a wonderful mission. Let us not be afraid to do what we can as we put our faith into action and be of service to one another! Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us!!!

Saints Cosmas and Damian

The Church remembers Saints Cosmas and Damian. Their names are well known, especially if you listen to Eucharistic Prayer I or as it is commonly known as, "The Roman Canon." Whenever the saints are mentioned in that Eucharistic Prayer, they include Cosmas and Damian, which happen to be the last names on the list, so they do stand out. The only thing that is known about them comes from ancient documents that show their tombs are in Cyrrhus, Syria. A basilica was built there in their honor. Devotion to these two saints spread from there to Rome and eventually to the whole Church (Magnificat, 340). Saints Cosmas and Damian are also martyrs, which means they gave their lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel. As one antiphon states, "The saints are happy in heaven because they followed Christ. They rejoice whtih him for ever because they shed their blood for him (340). The Church holds up these saints for us as models and examples. We pray that we may have the grace and strength to follow these saints and do all we can for the glory of God and the good of our brothers and sisters. Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for us!!!

Come Back to Me...

Those words come from a song that just came to my mind! The song is "Hosea" and the verse goes, "Come back to me with all your heart...," and that is followed by the refrain that reads, "Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life" (Heritage Missal, 411). That song came to mind as I think about the readings for this weekend. The prophet Ezekiel (18:25-28) says, "But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life, since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die." In the gospel, Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus says that the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before the chief priests and elders because they turned from their ways and turned back to God. That is what conversion is all about it. We are called to turn away from our sins and turn back to God. This is a call that is not reserved just for the penitential seasons, but everyday of our lives. We are sinners in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. We need to acknowledge our sinfulness, approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive the healing and forgiveness that comes from God alone. As Saint Paul says, (Philippians, 2:1-11), "Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. We need to put on the mind and heart of Christ. Do not be afraid! Come back to God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and very life. Let us truly feel the love of God in our lives and share His goodness with one another! Have a blessed weekend!!!

Saint Padre Pio

Today is the feast of one of my favorite saints, Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. He is truly a saint for our time, being born in 1887 and passing to eternal life in
1968. He is known the world over and his intercessions are well documented. I like the line that he would use, probably on numerous occasions, "I only want to be a poor friar who prays" (Magnificat, 307). However, Padre Pio was sought out for being a dynamic confessor and spiritual adviser. He had a great love for the Eucharist and it showed by how he presided at Mass. His Masses would last several hours because he truly put his whole life, heart, and soul into the celebration of the Holy Mass. What also set him apart was the fact that he lived with the stigmatas, the wounds of Christ. Recently, I purchased a new icon of Saint Padre Pio and it reads very simply, "Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry!" Words that we can all live by and what a wonderful saint we have for today. Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Pray for us!!! Have a blessed day!!!

Saint Matthew

The Church remembers the Feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. We know of Matthew by the gospel that we listen to for this feast, Matthew 9:9-13. Matthew was a tax collector and he was sitting at his customs post when Jesus came by and said to him, "Follow me." Without hesitation, Matthew got up and followed Jesus. How many people could walk away from their positions of power and status? It seems that Matthew had no trouble with walking away. Perhaps he was looking for something else so he could get out of that profession or it was the one-on-one invitation that he received from our Lord. Jesus had a plan for Matthew and we know that he went on to be an apostle, an evangelist, and the author of the gospel that bears his name. Jesus invites each of us to follow him. We know that we are all sinners in need of God's mercy and forgiveness and like Jesus said, "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Jesus calls us! He wants us to be healed. He wants us to follow him and continue the mission that he gave to us, proclaiming the Good News. With Saint Matthew's intercession, may we have the grace and strength to give up everything and follow the Lord because our ultimate goal is to get to Heaven. Have a blessed day!!!

The Korean Martyrs

We celebrate the memorial of the Korean Martyrs which took place during the persecutions of 1839, 1846, 1866, and 1867. At this time, 103 Christians in Korea gave their lives as martyrs. Those included, Father Andrew Kim Taegon and the lay apostle, Paul Chong Hasang. There were also bishops, priests, and many of the laity who gave their lives for the sake of Christ and the sake of the Church. As Saint Andrew Kim Taegon said in his final exhortation, "I urge you to remain steadfast in faith, so that at last we will all reach heaven and there rejoice together" (Magnificat, 273-74). That quote truly says it all because the focus of our minds, hearts, and souls should be on the prize that is eternal life in heaven. Our common goal is to get to heaven and we look forward to that day with joyful hope and great anticipation. We want to be united with Our Lord, all the holy men and women who have gone before us, and our loved ones. We need to remain firm in our faith and live holy, prayerful, and dedicated lives. May the Korean martyrs intercede for us and help us in all that we do for the glory of God and the good of the church. God Bless You!!!

Shine Your Light

The gospel is very appropriate for us as we live our lives, our faith, our call to discipleship. Our passage is from Luke 8:16-18 and it is short and to the point. Jesus says very simply, "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light." This reminds me of the song that we are all familiar with, "This little light of might I'm going to let it shine..." We need to let our light shine for all to see. That light was entrusted to our parents and godparents when we were baptized. Recall what the priest said, "Receive the light of Christ. Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly" (Rite of Baptism, 71). As we journey through life, that light may go dim or it even goes out completely, but we need to return to the source that keeps our light burning brightly, Jesus Christ. The burning candle symbolizes that Jesus is forever the light of the world. He is the light that takes away all darkness. His light can reignite the light of our lives and hearts. Take the time for prayer each day, approach the sacraments, and do not be afraid to ask the Lord for the grace and strength that you need to keep your light burning brightly. That light has been given to us, so don't hide it, but keep it out for all to see! Have a blessed day!!!

Generosity

A phrase that I always remember from my days in the seminary is, "Attitude of Gratitude." We always need a spirit of gratitude, gratefulness, thankfulness, appreciation in our lives. God has truly blessed us with the gifts, qualities, resources that we need. Our readings for this weekend gives us a glimpse of the generosity that God has for us. It begins with the reading from the prophet Isaiah, 55:6-9. The prophet says, "Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God who is generous in forgiving." We know that God is rich in love, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. Everything that God shows us is unconditional. This thought continues in the gospel from Saint Matthew, 20:1-16a. We listened to this gospel on a recent weekday and it is about the landowner who went out to hire laborers. He went out five times and told those he hired that they would receive the usual daily wage. When the time came for them to receive their payment they all received the same thing, no matter how long they had been working. Like the landowner said to the one hired hand, "Are you envious because I am generous?" The landowner said that they all agreed to the same daily wage and he did not show any partiality. That is key because God shows no partiality with us. He treats us equally and He gives us all the grace and strength that we need to live our lives, our faith to the fullest. Many times we think as human beings do, but we need to think like God, whose ways are not our ways or our thoughts are not His thoughts. The world would be a different place if we kept that in mind and lived it because we would truly know the generosity of God and in that, have an attitude of gratitude. Have a blessed weekend!!!

Saints Cornelius & Cyprian

The Church remembers Saints Cornelius and Cyprian. Saint Cornelius was the Pope, being ordained in 251. He fought agains the Novatian schismatics and with Cyprian's help was able to enforce his authority. Saint Cyprian was a convert to the faith, ordained and made bishop of Carthage in 249. He was able to guide the church through difficult times by his writings and actions (Magnificat, 226-27). Both saints were martyrs, giving their lives for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. As we hear in the opening prayer for Mass, "You have given your people an inspiring example of dedication tot he pastoral ministry and constant witness to Christ in their suffering" (227). These holy men lived their faith, their ministry to the fullest. Their dedication and faithfulness is an example to all priests and religious, but also to all the people of God. The Church holds up holy men and women to show us an example of how we can live our lives of faith, holiness, and prayer. We pray that we may have the courage and strength of these saints to proclaim the Good News and give all for the glory of God and the good of His people! Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, pray for us!!!

Our Lady of Sorrows!

We celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows! It is interesting that this memorial falls the day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This could be a reminder that here on earth we do have sorrows, trials, and tribulations. We carry our crosses but we know that with sorrow comes new life, the resurrection. As one commentary states, "Mary would know countless sorrows. One thing we can draw on today after celebrating Christ's triumph on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross yesterday, is the comfort of knowing that Our Lady can understand our sorrows and pray compassionately for our healing and consolation. After suffering, triumph" (Loose-Leaf Lectionary, Liturgical Press, 1278). That quote truly says it all. As we experience the sorrows of life we know that our Blessed Mother has already walked that path and she is right with us, guiding us with her loving, maternal hand. The Blessed Virgin Mary is a beautiful and tremendous example for all of us. She is known my so many titles, but the title for today assures us that Mary knows what we are going through when it comes to sorrow and she will always be there to intercede for us each step of the way! Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!!!

Exaltation of the Holy Cross!!!

We exalt in the cross of Christ because it has become for us the tree of life. Jesus took our sins, the guilt of all humanity and nailed them to the cross. As one commentary states, "The Cross of Jesus is the crowning sign of our redemption. It has become a universal symbol for the followers of Christ. The Cross is the altar on which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins" (Commentary and General Intercessions, 371). This feast reminds us how important the cross is in our lives and we realize that to get to the resurrection we need to go through the cross. Jesus invites us in the gospels to be his disciples and in order to do so we must deny our very selves, pick up our cross and follow in his footsteps. Even though we think our crosses might be great, there is one thing to always be mindful of, Jesus' cross is greater. Perhaps we can visualize in our minds and hearts Jesus walking ahead of us with his cross and he gives us the grace, strength, peace and patience that we need to carry ours. God also blesses us with people in our lives who help us to carry our cross! We carry our crosses together! At one time, the cross was a symbol of torture and shame! Now, it is the tree of life! Let us exalt because this is the feast that the Lord has made. Our salvation has been won for us and we can truly rejoice and be glad. Have a blessed day!!!

Saint John Chrysostom

The memorial of Saint John Chrysostom is a feast for all preachers. As it says in his biography, "His preaching and writing explained Catholic doctrine and presented the ideal Christian life. For this reason he is called Chrysostom or Golden Mouth" (Magnificat, 160). Even though opening prayer states the same, "You made John Chrysostom renowned for his eloquence..." (161). He was a great preacher and he achieved remarkable spiritual results amongst his listeners. As clergy, we are called to proclaim the Good News and break open the word for all who listen so that they may know how to live the Word of God each day of their lives. One of the points that I always make to my listeners is, "Even though the scriptures were written centuries ago, they still apply to our lives today." However, it is our task to present the word in a way that people can do that. All of us, clergy and laity, are called to proclaimed the Good News, not just with words, but with our very lives. I am sure Saint John Chrysostom always practiced what he preached and we are to do that as well. Part of the prayer from the intercessions for today can also be our prayer, "By the example and intercession of Saint John Chrysostom, raise up courageous and convincing preachers in our day to stir faith to life, to heal the broken-hearted, and to offer new life" (160). In the spirit of Saint John Chrysostom, may God give us the grace and strength that we need to be those strong and exemplary preachers! God Bless You!!!

Harvest & Planting Time

The farmers are busy working in the fields and we pray for their safety. We also pray for the crops that have not been harvested yet, that God will bless them with favorable weather and moisture. In this area, the corn is about ready to be harvested and the beans and milo are coming along as well. It will also be time to think about planting the seed wheat. This last weekend I have the opportunity to bless the seeds in my three parishes. I also made my services available to go out and bless fields. I have blessed a couple fields, along with a truck full of seed, and that truly means a lot to the farmers because they know how challenging their vocation is. They do all the prep work, plant the seeds, and harvest the crops, but what occurs in between takes great faith and trust. In everything we do, we rely on God to provide and He does, maybe not in the way we expect at times. From year to year, we don't know what the weather will be like so we pray as individuals and as a church community that God will bless our land, our fields, and our crops with the right weather and the proper moisture to nourish and nurture the seeds along. With God's love and grace, we will collect an abundant harvest and bear much fruit! God Bless You!!!

Remembering 9/11

We all remember what was going on that Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001. In Kansas, it was a bright, sunny day. I was an associate pastor at the time in Hays, Kansas and had just concluded celebrating Mass for our Catholic School students. As I walked through the office I remember our liturgist sitting at her desk with her head in her hands and the radio on. I asked what was going on and they told me about the planes that had hit the World Trade Center. Our business manager and I ran up to my room which was above our offices and watched in horror as the events unfolded. It is a day that we will never forget! On this 10th anniversary, we remember those who lost their lives. We pray for them and we pray for their families who continue to live their lives to the fullest, never forgetting the loved ones they lost. This anniversary is a time to remember but also a time of prayer. The readings that we will listen to this weekend focus on forgiveness and the need to forgive our brothers and sisters from our hearts. With all things in life, we never forget, but we pray that we will forgive. Living in peace and reconciliation is a great gift from God. May we always remember that no matter what happens in life, God is always present. Let us feel His presence in our lives and help others to feel that presence as well. This anniversary may be a time for all of us to recommit ourselves to living our faith, to seek forgiveness, and to live the love of God to the fullest. Blessings to you this weekend!!!

Saint Peter Claver

The Church in the United States remembers Saint Peter Claver today. Saint Peter was born in Spain in 1580. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1602. With the help of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez, Peter heard and followed the call to the missions. Following his ordination in 1616, Saint Peter went to the Mission of Columbia. He worked tirelessly among the African slaves and died in 1654. Saint Peter Claver was canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. In 1896, Pope Leo declared him the special heavenly patron of all missions to the African peoples (Magnificat,116- 117). As we hear in the opening prayer, "God of mercy and love, you offer all peoples the dignity of sharing in your life. By the example and prayers of Saint Peter Claver, strengthen us to overcome all racial hatreds and to love each other as brothers and sisters" (117). We can make that prayer our own because we need to live in God's love and share that love with others. We need to bring God's love, reconciliation, and peace to people and places where violence and conflict exist. Even the gospel for today is appopriate, Luke 6:39-42. The parable of removing the wooden beam from your own eye before taking the splinter out of your brothers eye. If our world lived that gospel, it would definitely be a better place. We have to keep doing what we are doing in our own communities to create reconciliation and peace. Let us turn to Saint Peter Claver and seek his intercession to help and guide us in our efforts! Have a blessed day!!!

Nativity of our Blessed Mother

A Happy and Joyous Birthday to the Blessed Virgin Mary! There are not that many birthdays that the Catholic Church celebrates. In fact, there are only three: The Birth of our Lord, the birth of John the Baptist, and the birth of Mary. Here are a couple quotes from our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, "The Church always argued that it was premature to celebrate a birthday because the rest of the life of the person born on that day was subject to such ambiguity. The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an exquisite exception since 'her soul was the space from which God was able to gain access into humanity'" (Magnificat, 104). In celebrating the birthday of our Blessed Mother, we also celebrate those who had a role in salvation history. They are the ones who said "YES" to God's will and allowed the saving plan of God to unfold. As we hear in the opening prayer, "The birth of the Virgin Mary's Son was dawn of our salvation. May this celebration of her birthday bring us closer to lasting peace" (105). Let us make this prayer our own as we thank God and rejoice in the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We trust in her prayers and intercessions and we know that she will guide us along the path of life and faith with her maternal hand. When our journey is complete, may she present us to her divine Son with the hope of living in eternal peace and happiness forever! Have a blessed day!!!

An Encouraging Word!!!

Saint Paul continues his encouragement with the Colossians, 3:1-11. Yesterday, Paul told them to walk with Christ, be rooted and built up in him. We are to build our lives, our faith on Christ. Today Paul writes, "If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth." How true that is because we are just passing through this world. All that we have here are gifts from God and we are to use these tools and resources for His glory and the good of our brothers and sisters. Because of our humanness it is easy to get caught up in the trappings of this life but with prayer, the sacraments, grace, determination and faith, we can overcome our earthly thoughts and focus on the things that are above. A place is being prepared for us in Heaven. That was Jesus' words to his disciples before he ascended to the Father. That promise is still with us and we keeping waiting in joyful hope and anticipation for the Kindgom of Heaven to be revealed. Let us be encouraged by the words of Saint Paul and by the preachers of today as we continue to live our lives, our faith to fullest, knowing that a better place awaits us all! Blessings to you!!!

Build on Christ

Jesus Christ is the foundation, the cornerstone, the rock that we are to build our lives and our faith on. That is a message that we need to hear in this tough and often critical times. The message that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and is with us until the end of time continues to reverberate throughout the universe. As Saint Paul tells the Colossians (2:6-15) and us, "As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." There are many voices calling out to us, but there is one voice that is loud and clear and that is the voice of Jesus Christ. A voice that calls to us as he called his disciples, Luke 6:12-19. Jesus spent the night in prayer and when day came the called twelve men to be his disciples and he also called them to be apostles. These are the men who knew Jesus in a special, intimate way and he gave them the tools to be the builders of the early church. Of course, the church needs to be built on Christ. That mission of the early church is ours today and the call is clear: build your lives, your faith on Jesus Christ. May these words encourage us today and everday as we continue to build up the Kingdom of God in our midst. Blessings to you!!!

Call To Change!!!

In light of our readings from this past weekend, there is a message that needs to be proclaimed and that is the message of "change!" The prophet Ezekiel was appointed to be the watchman for the house of Israel, Ezekiel 33:7-9. The point of this reading is that prophets should not be afraid to confront people on their faults and help them to change the way they are living. The Lord God said, "If I tell the wicked, 'O wicked one, you shall surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death." That sounds pretty strong! I remember as I was discerning my call to the priesthood my dad would tell me, "Remember, God will judge you much closer than me because of the souls entrusted to your care." I think about that because like the prophets, priests are entrusted with a great responsibility and we need to lead and guide our people to Heaven. One commentary even states, "Prophets of all times and places have delivered the same core message: 'Change the way you live while there is still time'" (Saint Anthony Press). I can add my own experience with this because when I had my accident back in June I know God was sending me a message and maybe others as well. We do not know the day nor the hour so we always need to be ready and prepared. Listen to the voices of the prophets who have come before and those in our midst today. We all want to get to Heaven and we need to do what we can to help people in their journey of life and faith. The voice of God is always speaking to us so let us say with the psalmist, "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts!" Let us listen to the voice of God and make those necessary changes in our life, not later, but now! Have a blessed day!!!

Where 2 or 3...

The gospel for this weekend, Matthew 18:15-20, is a gospel of reconciliation, hope, and prayer. If your brother sins against you there is an order to be followed. Hopefully reconciliation between the two will be productive. When that does not work you can have two or three witnesses listen to what is going on. If that does not work, then take them to the church. If they do not listen to the church, then treat them as you would a Gentile or tax collector. The task at hand is forgiveness and reconciliation and that is what we are called to do as church. "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Those are the same words that Jesus spoke to Peter when he gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. There is authority in those words but also the hope of reconciliation. The key to all of this is prayer. Whatever is going on in the lives of those brothers needs to be brought in prayer and this is where we have the blessed assurance, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Our Lord is with us at all times. He wants us to listen to the words of Scripture and take them to heart. He wants us to be reconciled with our brothers and sisters. He wants us to live as church- being a people of prayer and reaching out in service to all peoples. We proclaim the gospel, not just with words, but with our very lives. Let us pray for the grace to do just that because the Lord is listening and He does answer our prayers! Have a blessed weekend!!!

The Gift of Fasting!

As I asked the students from our school this morning, "What liturgical season is closely associated with fasting?" The answer is of course, "LENT!" The three goods of the Lenten Season are: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. My follow up question was, "Is Lent the only time that you can fast?" Yes or No? The answer is, "NO!" Fasting is a gift that we can use at all times. When we fast, we take away something that we are used to, and that will hopefully make us grow in our awareness of God's presence in our lives. It helps us in our prayer life. When we think of fasting we think of cutting back on our food intake, but there are other things that we can fast from: television, radio, computer, shopping, and the list can go on. Hopefully during those times of fast we spend in prayer, reading the Bible, or other spiritual works. This time of fasting is to help us in our relationship with God and one another. Fasting is found in the Bible and we see it in today's gospel, Luke 5:33-39. Jesus says that his disciples will fast when the bridegroom is taken away, but while the bridegroom is among them, they will continue to eat and drink. We live the gift of fasting everyday because we have a longing for Heaven. We look forward to the joys of eternal life. We know that our mission here on earth continues. A mission to proclaim the Good News and to live our faith to the fullest. This time of fasting prepares us for the glory that is to be revealed so we need to pray, we need to get our lives in order so that when that time comes, God will welcome us into His eternal Kingdom. Fasting is good penance but it is also a gift. Let us continue to use that gift wisely and make it a meaningful part of our lives and our faith. Blessings to you!!!

Casting our Nets

The gospel acclamation states: "Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men." That is the message from LUke 5:1-11, Jesus getting into the boat to teach the crowd and following that, he tells Peter to lower their nets for a catch. The Lord's exact words are, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." What a beautiful miracle because they catch so many fish that their nets are about ready to tear and when they put the fish into the boats they are about ready to sink. Peter realizes what has happened and he tells Jesus to leave him because he is a sinful man. However, Jesus responds with his familiar words, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When the disciples came to the shore they left everything behind and followed our Lord. This passage reminds us of our call as disciples. We are to live lives of prayer, faithfulness, holiness, dedication, and service. Of course, there are many other qualities that we can think of, but the Lord calls us to live them to the fullest. This message is for all of us. We are to proclaim the Good News. We are to reach out in service to our brothers and sisters. We are to put out in deep water and lower our nets for a catch. There are many people out there, even in our own communities that need to hear the Good News. They need to know about the Jesus Christ being in their lives. Let us follow the example of our gospel today and pray that God will give us the grace that we need to be faithful disciples, to cast our nets into the deep, and to truly be those fishers of men! Have a blessed day!!!