In this e-weekly:
- Things You Should Always Remember (Helpful Hints for Life)
-Some of the Best Headlines You Will Ever Read (A bit of humor… smiling cat)
-BEST PARISH PRACTICE is a section of the e-weekly (see below)
- Things You Should Always Remember (Helpful Hints for Life)
-Some of the Best Headlines You Will Ever Read (A bit of humor… smiling cat)
-BEST PARISH PRACTICE is a section of the e-weekly (see below)
Catholic Good News
Receiving the Gospel, Serving God and Neighbor
SILENCE-Outside Quiet at Mass
"Therefore at such a time the prudent person keeps silent." Amos 5:13
Receiving the Gospel, Serving God and Neighbor
SILENCE-Outside Quiet at Mass
"Therefore at such a time the prudent person keeps silent." Amos 5:13
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
It has happened gradually, and nobody really means disrespect by it or to be an interruption to others, but needless talking before, during, or after Mass IN CHURCH has become too commonplace today to our detriment.
But some say, Father, sometimes we have to talk in church. Yes, even I have to sometimes direct the servers, parents have to direct their kids, we should be courteous to those we meet in church, but we can do so quietly with a whisper.
Fellowship and gracious words are also an essential part of the Catholic life, but they only take on their full meaning and effect if they be in God and come from a communal union with God at Mass with reverent quiet always while IN CHURCH. Why, because separate from God, we always fail or are very limited, and God is found in silence, especially of the Holy Eucharist!
"Yes, Jesus is always waiting for us in silence. In that silence He will listen to us, there He will speak to our soul, and there we will hear His voice."
-Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Speak plainly and visit outside the body of the church, but always honor God, honor those good nuns and teachers that taught us, honor mom and dad who taught us to be reverently quiet before, during, and after the Holy Mass IN church.
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. Two past week's homily written out are found at the end of this e-weekly. Read or listen to the last one for more on the above e-weekly topic.
P.S.S. This coming Sunday is the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time. The readings can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022320.cfm
Homilies from Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time and the Second Sunday of Lent are found below (8 and 10 minutes):
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Second Sunday of Lent
It has happened gradually, and nobody really means disrespect by it or to be an interruption to others, but needless talking before, during, or after Mass IN CHURCH has become too commonplace today to our detriment.
But some say, Father, sometimes we have to talk in church. Yes, even I have to sometimes direct the servers, parents have to direct their kids, we should be courteous to those we meet in church, but we can do so quietly with a whisper.
Fellowship and gracious words are also an essential part of the Catholic life, but they only take on their full meaning and effect if they be in God and come from a communal union with God at Mass with reverent quiet always while IN CHURCH. Why, because separate from God, we always fail or are very limited, and God is found in silence, especially of the Holy Eucharist!
"Yes, Jesus is always waiting for us in silence. In that silence He will listen to us, there He will speak to our soul, and there we will hear His voice."
-Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Speak plainly and visit outside the body of the church, but always honor God, honor those good nuns and teachers that taught us, honor mom and dad who taught us to be reverently quiet before, during, and after the Holy Mass IN church.
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. Two past week's homily written out are found at the end of this e-weekly. Read or listen to the last one for more on the above e-weekly topic.
P.S.S. This coming Sunday is the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time. The readings can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022320.cfm
Homilies from Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time and the Second Sunday of Lent are found below (8 and 10 minutes):
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Second Sunday of Lent
Homily is written out at end of e-weekly
"Does not the physician do his greatest work on the patient as they rest, how much more will the Divine Physician (Jesus Christ) do his greatest work on us if we rest in Him.
-St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (The Little Flower) when speaking about accidentally falling asleep while praying.
-St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (The Little Flower) when speaking about accidentally falling asleep while praying.
"Helpful Hints of Life"
Things To Always Remember
- Your presence is a present to the world.
- You're unique and one of a kind.
- Take the days just one at a time.
- Count your blessings, not your troubles.
- With God you'll make it through whatever comes along.
- Understand, have courage, be strong.
- Don't put too many limits on yourself, and none on God.
- God commanded, "Do not worry."-Matthew 6:25
- The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
- Receive God's peace, the peace the world cannot give.
- Remember that a little love goes a long way.
- Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
- Life's treasures are people -- together.
- Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
- Have health and hope and happiness.
- And don't ever forget – God love YOU very much!
"Adoration is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory," respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #2628
Catholic Website of the Week
The Seven Dolors (Sorrows) of Mary
http://www.7dolors.com/
This site describes itself as a "collection of efficacious prayers, meditations and devotions for those needing Hope, Peace and Joy in their lives." It features extensive information on the Seven Dolors, as well as many corresponding prayers and devotions. It also provides a small section on various Church teachings and some miscellaneous other items such as a favorite books list.
The Seven Dolors (Sorrows) of Mary
http://www.7dolors.com/
This site describes itself as a "collection of efficacious prayers, meditations and devotions for those needing Hope, Peace and Joy in their lives." It features extensive information on the Seven Dolors, as well as many corresponding prayers and devotions. It also provides a small section on various Church teachings and some miscellaneous other items such as a favorite books list.
BEST PARISH PRACTICES
MAKE AVAILABLE DAILY MEDITATIONS AND MASS PRAYER BOOKLETS
From The Word Among Us to The Magnificat to the Give Us This Day, there are wonderful resources that contain daily meditations to the full Mass Readings, parts of the Liturgy of the Hours and more. When the Catholic faithful take time to spend with the Lord, or pray closely with the Church, all are blessed and benefit.
BENEFITS:
Couples especially can pray them together, families can hear the meditation after or before a time of prayer. Parishioners pray with the Church and get closer to Christ and one another.
HOW?
Ask your Parish Priest if this is something the parish can do. A parish can purchase these for groups in the parish or make them available in the back of church. Or they can take orders from parishioners and place bulk orders that might help for those who may not otherwise afford it. Or if you are part of a prayer group or Men's or Women's Group ask if they would like to get it individually or bulk subscriptions.
MAKE AVAILABLE DAILY MEDITATIONS AND MASS PRAYER BOOKLETS
From The Word Among Us to The Magnificat to the Give Us This Day, there are wonderful resources that contain daily meditations to the full Mass Readings, parts of the Liturgy of the Hours and more. When the Catholic faithful take time to spend with the Lord, or pray closely with the Church, all are blessed and benefit.
BENEFITS:
Couples especially can pray them together, families can hear the meditation after or before a time of prayer. Parishioners pray with the Church and get closer to Christ and one another.
HOW?
Ask your Parish Priest if this is something the parish can do. A parish can purchase these for groups in the parish or make them available in the back of church. Or they can take orders from parishioners and place bulk orders that might help for those who may not otherwise afford it. Or if you are part of a prayer group or Men's or Women's Group ask if they would like to get it individually or bulk subscriptions.
Vatican City, Feb 22, 2020 / 08:30 am (CNA).- The Vatican announced Saturday the approval of a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager and computer programmer, who died in 2006.
The miracle involved the healing of a Brazilian child suffering from a rare congenital anatomic anomaly of the pancreas in 2013. The Medical Council of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes gave a positive opinion of the miracle last November.
With Pope Francis’ approval of the miracle promulgated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints Feb. 21, Acutis can now be beatified.
The beatification is expected to take place in Assisi. Acutis is currently buried in Assisi’s Church of St. Mary Major.
Acutis, who died of leukemia at the age of 15, offered his suffering for the pope and for the Church. He was born in London on May 3, 1991 to Italian parents who soon returned to Milan. He was a pious child, attending daily Mass, frequently praying the rosary, and making weekly confessions.
In May 2019, Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano, told CNA Newsroom: “Jesus was the center of his day.” She said that priests and nuns would tell her that they could tell that the Lord had a special plan for her son.
“Carlo really had Jesus in his heart, really the pureness … When you are really pure of heart, you really touch people’s hearts,” she said.
Exceptionally gifted in working with computers, Acutis developed a website which catalogued Eucharistic miracles. This website was the genesis of The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, an international exhibition which highlights such occurrences.
Pope Francis also authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree regarding the approval of two other miracles.
One miracle attributed to 18th century Indian martyr Blessed Lazarus, also called Devasahayam, who converted from Hinduism to the Catholic faith and was severely persecuted.
The other approved miracle was through the intercession of Blessed Maria Francesca of Jesus, the missionary foundress of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of Loano, who died in Uruguay in 1904.
Both Blessed Lazarus and Blessed Maria Francesca of Jesus can now be canonized as saints. Their canonization dates have yet to be announced.
The Vatican decree also recognized the martyrdom of a Jesuit priest, Fr. Rutilio Grande García, and two lay companions, who were killed in El Salvador. Grande, a close friend of St. Oscar Romero, was shot by a right-wing death squad while traveling in a car on March 12, 1977.
The heroic virtues of Servants of God Mario Hiriart Pulido, a Chilean engineer and lay member of the Secular Institute for the Schoenstatt Brothers of Mary who died in Wisconsin in 1964, was also approved by the pope, along with the heroic virtues of three Italian priests: Fr. Emilio Venturini, Fr. Pirro Scavizzi, and Fr. Emilio Recchia.
The miracle involved the healing of a Brazilian child suffering from a rare congenital anatomic anomaly of the pancreas in 2013. The Medical Council of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes gave a positive opinion of the miracle last November.
With Pope Francis’ approval of the miracle promulgated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints Feb. 21, Acutis can now be beatified.
The beatification is expected to take place in Assisi. Acutis is currently buried in Assisi’s Church of St. Mary Major.
Acutis, who died of leukemia at the age of 15, offered his suffering for the pope and for the Church. He was born in London on May 3, 1991 to Italian parents who soon returned to Milan. He was a pious child, attending daily Mass, frequently praying the rosary, and making weekly confessions.
In May 2019, Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano, told CNA Newsroom: “Jesus was the center of his day.” She said that priests and nuns would tell her that they could tell that the Lord had a special plan for her son.
“Carlo really had Jesus in his heart, really the pureness … When you are really pure of heart, you really touch people’s hearts,” she said.
Exceptionally gifted in working with computers, Acutis developed a website which catalogued Eucharistic miracles. This website was the genesis of The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, an international exhibition which highlights such occurrences.
Pope Francis also authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree regarding the approval of two other miracles.
One miracle attributed to 18th century Indian martyr Blessed Lazarus, also called Devasahayam, who converted from Hinduism to the Catholic faith and was severely persecuted.
The other approved miracle was through the intercession of Blessed Maria Francesca of Jesus, the missionary foundress of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of Loano, who died in Uruguay in 1904.
Both Blessed Lazarus and Blessed Maria Francesca of Jesus can now be canonized as saints. Their canonization dates have yet to be announced.
The Vatican decree also recognized the martyrdom of a Jesuit priest, Fr. Rutilio Grande García, and two lay companions, who were killed in El Salvador. Grande, a close friend of St. Oscar Romero, was shot by a right-wing death squad while traveling in a car on March 12, 1977.
The heroic virtues of Servants of God Mario Hiriart Pulido, a Chilean engineer and lay member of the Secular Institute for the Schoenstatt Brothers of Mary who died in Wisconsin in 1964, was also approved by the pope, along with the heroic virtues of three Italian priests: Fr. Emilio Venturini, Fr. Pirro Scavizzi, and Fr. Emilio Recchia.
"Prayer to Jesus is answered by him already during his ministry, through signs that anticipate the power of his death and Resurrection: Jesus hears the prayer of faith, expressed in words (the leper, Jairus, the Canaanite woman, the good thief) or in silence(the bearers of the paralytic, the woman with a hemorrhage who touches his clothes, the tears and ointment of the sinful woman). The urgent request of the blind men, "Have mercy on us, Son of David" or "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" has-been renewed in the traditional prayer to Jesus known as the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" Healing infirmities or forgiving sins, Jesus always responds to a prayer offered in faith: "Your faith has made you well; go in peace."St. Augustine wonderfully summarizes the three dimensions of Jesus' prayer: "He prays for us as our priest, prays in us as our Head, and is prayed to by us as our God. Therefore let us acknowledge our voice in him and his in us."
. -Catechism of the Catholic Church #2616
. -Catechism of the Catholic Church #2616
SACRED SCRIPTURE CORNER
Judging
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." -Matthew 7:1-2
This Bible verse is often quoted to Christians when they disagree with or stand up to something against the teachings of the Church. A closer look at this Bible verse and other related verses, however, uncovers a different understanding of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus was not telling his disciples that they could not ever judge the behavior of others. Rather, he was cautioning them to live righteous lives themselves so that their judgment of others’ behavior would not be rash judgment and their efforts would be effective in admonishing their neighbors. He does specify, however, that we are not to judge another person's soul, or their eternal salvation. Paragraph 1861 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us "although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God." We cannot judge another human soul, we must however judge the actions of those around us to determine what situations we may or may not want to be involved in, and as opportunities to share the teachings of our faith with others.
Further Reading: John 7:24; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:12-13
Judging
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." -Matthew 7:1-2
This Bible verse is often quoted to Christians when they disagree with or stand up to something against the teachings of the Church. A closer look at this Bible verse and other related verses, however, uncovers a different understanding of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus was not telling his disciples that they could not ever judge the behavior of others. Rather, he was cautioning them to live righteous lives themselves so that their judgment of others’ behavior would not be rash judgment and their efforts would be effective in admonishing their neighbors. He does specify, however, that we are not to judge another person's soul, or their eternal salvation. Paragraph 1861 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us "although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God." We cannot judge another human soul, we must however judge the actions of those around us to determine what situations we may or may not want to be involved in, and as opportunities to share the teachings of our faith with others.
Further Reading: John 7:24; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:12-13
A bit of humor…
Some Thoughts:
: -Did Noah include termites on the ark?
-I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. I'll let you know.
-I grew a beard thinking it would say "Distinguished Gentleman." Instead, turns out it says, "Senior Discount, Please!"
- My mom's favorite part of my birthday is describing my birth in detail to an 18 year old waitress who is just there to get our food order.
- I asked my mother where I have been born when she told me in a hospital. I responded: "Mom was I ill?"
- Me: "How much for the baby dragon?" Pet store clerk: "Sir, that's a lizard." Me: *not listening* "When do they start breathing fire?"
- *Puts down phone* OH MY GOODNESS, I HAVE ANOTHER HAND!
SOME OF THE BEST [actual] HEADLINES YOU WILL EVER READ
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Pound per pound they have to match?!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Do you really think this will keep them in school!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
[They better double check the bodies for to be absolutely sure.]
Some Thoughts:
: -Did Noah include termites on the ark?
-I ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. I'll let you know.
-I grew a beard thinking it would say "Distinguished Gentleman." Instead, turns out it says, "Senior Discount, Please!"
- My mom's favorite part of my birthday is describing my birth in detail to an 18 year old waitress who is just there to get our food order.
- I asked my mother where I have been born when she told me in a hospital. I responded: "Mom was I ill?"
- Me: "How much for the baby dragon?" Pet store clerk: "Sir, that's a lizard." Me: *not listening* "When do they start breathing fire?"
- *Puts down phone* OH MY GOODNESS, I HAVE ANOTHER HAND!
SOME OF THE BEST [actual] HEADLINES YOU WILL EVER READ
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Pound per pound they have to match?!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Do you really think this will keep them in school!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
[They better double check the bodies for to be absolutely sure.]
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Prayer for the Family
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our family especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts meek and humble like His and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way. May we love one another as God loves each one of us more and more each day, and forgive each other's faults as You forgive our sins. Help us, O loving Father, to take whatever You give and to give whatever You take with a big smile. Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us. Amen
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our family especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts meek and humble like His and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way. May we love one another as God loves each one of us more and more each day, and forgive each other's faults as You forgive our sins. Help us, O loving Father, to take whatever You give and to give whatever You take with a big smile. Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us. Amen
Homily for the
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle C -February 3, 2008
Do you want to be happy? Do you want to be blessed? When I was in Catholic grade school we were taught the Beatitudes as, "Happy are those, Happy are those." Today many people think they will be happy if they have enough money, or enough material possessions, or power, or some other things or someone other than God. And while these may bring happiness, it is a limited and incomplete happiness. There is nothing wrong with these things in themselves, but when we make them gods in our lives they take us away from the one true God, the only One who can make us truly happy and blessed.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their ears as the kingdom of heaven.
Poor in spirit…which means poverty in spirit, not material poverty, but poor in spirit…humility, being humble. You want patience with your kids? Get humility. You want to be charitable to your spouse? Get humility. You want to stop being angry or to obtain some virtue? Get humility. Humility is the acknowledge of the truth. Humility is the acknowledge of the truth. Primarily of the truth of who God is and who we are in the light of God. Humility is the acknowledgment of who God is and who we are in the light of God. Who is God? God is the author and founder of the cosmos God all-powerful. Who am I in light of God? A spec, a mere nothing. But God loves the spec. God treasures my nothingness. Humility is to consider these things, and to respond thereby.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
This past Thursday marked the 16th anniversary of January 31, 1992…the day on which a good friend of mine, Jeremy, died. It was our eighth grade year in Catholic grade school. He was there one day, and the next day he was dead. We were in class early morning when we found out. I remember many things from that day. We did not do much, we didn't really study, and we were with our teacher. I remember we even tried to play a little volleyball for PE to get up and do something. I remember the funeral a few days later as we lined up for the last time to pass by Jeremy's casket which was Oak to say our final farewell. Jeremy's death was particularly sorrowful to me, because I had never known the death of someone so close. I was too young when my grandparents passed away to have known them so well and my parents and brothers and sisters are still living thank the Lord. And all the other deaths I've experienced were not as close as Jeremy. One of the things that came out of this life event was that our class has stayed close together as an eighth-grade school class, and we've all been particularly close and stayed in contact with Debbie, Jeremy's mom. So even in my sorrow, I have been comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Meekness. Meekness is God's power working in us under God's control. Meekness is God's power working in us under God's control. We have God's power in us because we are made in his image and likeness. But most of the time we tend to be in the driver's seat and if we do give everything to God we too often take it back. But letting God's power work in you under God's control will let you inherit the land of heaven.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
How many in today's world seek that injustice be corrected, or that evil be averted. If you are among these, keep hungering, keep thirsting…you will be truly satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
I want my sins forgiven, and I'm sure that most of you want your sins forgiven. I must be merciful, you must be merciful, then we will be shown mercy, that our sins will be forgiven.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
The clean of heart, the pure of heart, the chaste. People say today, 'where is God? why isn't God working? why can't I see him today?" Are we clean of heart? Are we pure of intention that our eyes may behold the good God who is all cleanliness, all purity, all holiness. You want to be clean of heart, you want to be pure of heart, be humble, acknowledged the truth of who God is and who you are in the light of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Peacemakers know that only Jesus will bring peace. I saw a bumper sticker a few years ago. It said: NO Jesus NO Peace; KNOW Jesus KNOW Peace. Those who seek to have peace in their homes, in their families, in their communities, and in the world, they shall be the true children of God, because they bring Jesus to their homes, Jesus to their families, Jesus to their communitys, and Jesus to the world.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Do people get upset because you're Catholic? Do people not like you because you do Christians things and say Christian things? Now I'm not saying that we should get people mad at us, or that we should be in-your-face-Catholics. But if no one ever gets upset, or even worse if no one could tell that you are Catholic or Christian by what you say or what you do, that is not a good thing! This world is quickly coming to a point that it will not tolerate God or those who follow him, especially in our society. So you and I have to make the decision now or very soon, will we be blessed and happy in the sight of God, or will we accept the false happiness of the world by going with the crowd.
There is one more Happy are those...
We hear it every time we come to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It follows the words of John the Baptist at the Jordan: This is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. The priest holds up the consecrated host and continues: Happy are those who are called to his supper. Revelation 19:9, the book of showing, is where this part of the Mass comes from. It translates it as: happy are those who are called to the Lamb's supper. And this may be the translation that we are getting from the Pope in a few years as the parts of the Mass are more accurately translated for the benefit of our worship and the effect of salvation on our souls. Happy are those who are called to the Lamb's supper. It's the Lamb's supper because Jesus is the lamb that was slain silent before the shearers as the prophet Isaiah says. And it's the Lamb's supper because it's the wedding feast of the lamb. Jesus, the bridegroom, gives his life, his very body, for his beloved bride, the Church, you and I.
I remember hearing some priests say, 'happy are we too are called to his supper,' or 'happy are you who are called to the supper.' Now I'm sure that it is an honest mistake that these priests are saying the words this way, for Vatican II says that no one, not even a priest, can change the Mass for any reason. The Mass is of God given as a gift to His Church for you, and you as Roman Catholics have the right to the Mass as it is given by God Himself through His Church. But I think what has sadly crept in is perhaps a self focus a single to view an NT orientation. But as this Sacred Scripture say happy are those for the Mass is not just about you and me, it's not just about our parishes, it is about all who were called. And ALL are called to the Lamb's supper. However, God depends on you and I to sometimes extend the invitation explicitly to those who do not yet join us on Sunday, those who do not know the joy and the intimacy of the Lamb's supper, maybe it's you and I, ourselves, who have not read and realize that true happiness lies only in Jesus Christ, fully made present to us in the Mass and only will be made clearer when He is unveiled in heaven, that that is what the Mass is. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
You want to be happy? You one of the blessed? Don't pursue happiness as the world counts it as Saint Paul noted, count it as the Lord shows it to us as He Himself made it visible. Do the things of heaven!
"Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #2628
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle C -February 3, 2008
Do you want to be happy? Do you want to be blessed? When I was in Catholic grade school we were taught the Beatitudes as, "Happy are those, Happy are those." Today many people think they will be happy if they have enough money, or enough material possessions, or power, or some other things or someone other than God. And while these may bring happiness, it is a limited and incomplete happiness. There is nothing wrong with these things in themselves, but when we make them gods in our lives they take us away from the one true God, the only One who can make us truly happy and blessed.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their ears as the kingdom of heaven.
Poor in spirit…which means poverty in spirit, not material poverty, but poor in spirit…humility, being humble. You want patience with your kids? Get humility. You want to be charitable to your spouse? Get humility. You want to stop being angry or to obtain some virtue? Get humility. Humility is the acknowledge of the truth. Humility is the acknowledge of the truth. Primarily of the truth of who God is and who we are in the light of God. Humility is the acknowledgment of who God is and who we are in the light of God. Who is God? God is the author and founder of the cosmos God all-powerful. Who am I in light of God? A spec, a mere nothing. But God loves the spec. God treasures my nothingness. Humility is to consider these things, and to respond thereby.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
This past Thursday marked the 16th anniversary of January 31, 1992…the day on which a good friend of mine, Jeremy, died. It was our eighth grade year in Catholic grade school. He was there one day, and the next day he was dead. We were in class early morning when we found out. I remember many things from that day. We did not do much, we didn't really study, and we were with our teacher. I remember we even tried to play a little volleyball for PE to get up and do something. I remember the funeral a few days later as we lined up for the last time to pass by Jeremy's casket which was Oak to say our final farewell. Jeremy's death was particularly sorrowful to me, because I had never known the death of someone so close. I was too young when my grandparents passed away to have known them so well and my parents and brothers and sisters are still living thank the Lord. And all the other deaths I've experienced were not as close as Jeremy. One of the things that came out of this life event was that our class has stayed close together as an eighth-grade school class, and we've all been particularly close and stayed in contact with Debbie, Jeremy's mom. So even in my sorrow, I have been comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Meekness. Meekness is God's power working in us under God's control. Meekness is God's power working in us under God's control. We have God's power in us because we are made in his image and likeness. But most of the time we tend to be in the driver's seat and if we do give everything to God we too often take it back. But letting God's power work in you under God's control will let you inherit the land of heaven.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
How many in today's world seek that injustice be corrected, or that evil be averted. If you are among these, keep hungering, keep thirsting…you will be truly satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
I want my sins forgiven, and I'm sure that most of you want your sins forgiven. I must be merciful, you must be merciful, then we will be shown mercy, that our sins will be forgiven.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
The clean of heart, the pure of heart, the chaste. People say today, 'where is God? why isn't God working? why can't I see him today?" Are we clean of heart? Are we pure of intention that our eyes may behold the good God who is all cleanliness, all purity, all holiness. You want to be clean of heart, you want to be pure of heart, be humble, acknowledged the truth of who God is and who you are in the light of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Peacemakers know that only Jesus will bring peace. I saw a bumper sticker a few years ago. It said: NO Jesus NO Peace; KNOW Jesus KNOW Peace. Those who seek to have peace in their homes, in their families, in their communities, and in the world, they shall be the true children of God, because they bring Jesus to their homes, Jesus to their families, Jesus to their communitys, and Jesus to the world.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Do people get upset because you're Catholic? Do people not like you because you do Christians things and say Christian things? Now I'm not saying that we should get people mad at us, or that we should be in-your-face-Catholics. But if no one ever gets upset, or even worse if no one could tell that you are Catholic or Christian by what you say or what you do, that is not a good thing! This world is quickly coming to a point that it will not tolerate God or those who follow him, especially in our society. So you and I have to make the decision now or very soon, will we be blessed and happy in the sight of God, or will we accept the false happiness of the world by going with the crowd.
There is one more Happy are those...
We hear it every time we come to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It follows the words of John the Baptist at the Jordan: This is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. The priest holds up the consecrated host and continues: Happy are those who are called to his supper. Revelation 19:9, the book of showing, is where this part of the Mass comes from. It translates it as: happy are those who are called to the Lamb's supper. And this may be the translation that we are getting from the Pope in a few years as the parts of the Mass are more accurately translated for the benefit of our worship and the effect of salvation on our souls. Happy are those who are called to the Lamb's supper. It's the Lamb's supper because Jesus is the lamb that was slain silent before the shearers as the prophet Isaiah says. And it's the Lamb's supper because it's the wedding feast of the lamb. Jesus, the bridegroom, gives his life, his very body, for his beloved bride, the Church, you and I.
I remember hearing some priests say, 'happy are we too are called to his supper,' or 'happy are you who are called to the supper.' Now I'm sure that it is an honest mistake that these priests are saying the words this way, for Vatican II says that no one, not even a priest, can change the Mass for any reason. The Mass is of God given as a gift to His Church for you, and you as Roman Catholics have the right to the Mass as it is given by God Himself through His Church. But I think what has sadly crept in is perhaps a self focus a single to view an NT orientation. But as this Sacred Scripture say happy are those for the Mass is not just about you and me, it's not just about our parishes, it is about all who were called. And ALL are called to the Lamb's supper. However, God depends on you and I to sometimes extend the invitation explicitly to those who do not yet join us on Sunday, those who do not know the joy and the intimacy of the Lamb's supper, maybe it's you and I, ourselves, who have not read and realize that true happiness lies only in Jesus Christ, fully made present to us in the Mass and only will be made clearer when He is unveiled in heaven, that that is what the Mass is. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
You want to be happy? You one of the blessed? Don't pursue happiness as the world counts it as Saint Paul noted, count it as the Lord shows it to us as He Himself made it visible. Do the things of heaven!
"Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #2628
+JMJ+
SUNDAY MASS READINGS AND QUESTIONS
for Self-Reflection, Couples or Family Discussion
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 23rd, 2020
The First Reading - Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Reflection
We are called to the holiness of God. That is the extraordinary claim made in both the First Reading and Gospel this Sunday. Notice that in this first reading, God lets us know that part of holiness is how we treat one another.
Adults - What is the biggest thing that is standing between you and holiness?
Teens -Do you ever lead others into sin? How can you be sure to curb that behavior?
Kids - How are you a good example to others?
Responsorial- Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
R.The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Reflection: God does not deal with us as we deserve, as we sing in this week’s Psalm. He loves us with a Father’s love. He saves us from ruin. He forgives our transgressions. Where have you seen God’s mercy at work?
The Second Reading- 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
Reflection - We have been bought with the price of the blood of God’s only Son (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). We belong to Christ now, as St. Paul says in this week’s Epistle. By our baptism, we have been made temples of His Holy Spirit.
-How does becoming a fool make you wise?
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Reflection
How is it possible that we can be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect? Jesus explains that we must be imitators of God as His beloved children (Ephesians 5:1–2). As God does, we must love without limit—with a love that does not distinguish between friend and foe, overcoming evil with good (see Romans 12:21).
Jesus Himself, in His Passion and death, gave us the perfect example of the love that we are called to.
He offered no resistance to the evil—even though He could have commanded twelve legions of angels to fight alongside Him. He offered His face to be struck and spit upon. He allowed His garments to be stripped from Him. He marched as His enemies compelled Him to the Place of the Skull. On the cross He prayed for those who persecuted Him (see Matthew 26:53–54, 67; 27:28, 32; Luke 23:34). In all this He showed Himself to be the perfect Son of God. By His grace, and through our imitation of Him, He promises that we too can become children of our heavenly Father.
Adults - Do you pray for those who persecute you? How do you think doing so might change you?
Teens - How can you more imitate the love of Christ?
Kids - What example does Jesus set for you?
LIVING THE WORD OF GOD THIS WEEK! - Life for many, if not for most people, has many dark, gloomy and despairing moments. The man or woman who is moved by true Christian charity can bring a beam of sunshine, a ray of hope, into the lives of these people. Fr. Faber in a booklet on kindness has a poem which we could all learn and practice with great profit for ourselves and for a neighbor in need of kindness. He says:
"It was but a sunny smile, And little it cost in the giving,
But it scattered the night like the morning light
And made the day worth living.
It was but a kindly word, A word that was lightly spoken,
et not in vain for it chilled the pain
Of a heart that was nearly broken.
It was but a helping hand, And it seemed of little availing,
But its clasp was warm, it saved from harm
A brother whose strength was failing."
Try the sunny smile of true love, the kindly word of Christian encouragement, the helping hand of true charity, and not only will you brighten the darkness and lighten the load of your brother but you will be imitating in your own small way the perfect Father of love who is in heaven. -Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.
SUNDAY MASS READINGS AND QUESTIONS
for Self-Reflection, Couples or Family Discussion
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 23rd, 2020
The First Reading - Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Reflection
We are called to the holiness of God. That is the extraordinary claim made in both the First Reading and Gospel this Sunday. Notice that in this first reading, God lets us know that part of holiness is how we treat one another.
Adults - What is the biggest thing that is standing between you and holiness?
Teens -Do you ever lead others into sin? How can you be sure to curb that behavior?
Kids - How are you a good example to others?
Responsorial- Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
R.The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Reflection: God does not deal with us as we deserve, as we sing in this week’s Psalm. He loves us with a Father’s love. He saves us from ruin. He forgives our transgressions. Where have you seen God’s mercy at work?
The Second Reading- 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
Reflection - We have been bought with the price of the blood of God’s only Son (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). We belong to Christ now, as St. Paul says in this week’s Epistle. By our baptism, we have been made temples of His Holy Spirit.
-How does becoming a fool make you wise?
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Reflection
How is it possible that we can be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect? Jesus explains that we must be imitators of God as His beloved children (Ephesians 5:1–2). As God does, we must love without limit—with a love that does not distinguish between friend and foe, overcoming evil with good (see Romans 12:21).
Jesus Himself, in His Passion and death, gave us the perfect example of the love that we are called to.
He offered no resistance to the evil—even though He could have commanded twelve legions of angels to fight alongside Him. He offered His face to be struck and spit upon. He allowed His garments to be stripped from Him. He marched as His enemies compelled Him to the Place of the Skull. On the cross He prayed for those who persecuted Him (see Matthew 26:53–54, 67; 27:28, 32; Luke 23:34). In all this He showed Himself to be the perfect Son of God. By His grace, and through our imitation of Him, He promises that we too can become children of our heavenly Father.
Adults - Do you pray for those who persecute you? How do you think doing so might change you?
Teens - How can you more imitate the love of Christ?
Kids - What example does Jesus set for you?
LIVING THE WORD OF GOD THIS WEEK! - Life for many, if not for most people, has many dark, gloomy and despairing moments. The man or woman who is moved by true Christian charity can bring a beam of sunshine, a ray of hope, into the lives of these people. Fr. Faber in a booklet on kindness has a poem which we could all learn and practice with great profit for ourselves and for a neighbor in need of kindness. He says:
"It was but a sunny smile, And little it cost in the giving,
But it scattered the night like the morning light
And made the day worth living.
It was but a kindly word, A word that was lightly spoken,
et not in vain for it chilled the pain
Of a heart that was nearly broken.
It was but a helping hand, And it seemed of little availing,
But its clasp was warm, it saved from harm
A brother whose strength was failing."
Try the sunny smile of true love, the kindly word of Christian encouragement, the helping hand of true charity, and not only will you brighten the darkness and lighten the load of your brother but you will be imitating in your own small way the perfect Father of love who is in heaven. -Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.
RSS Feed