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January 31, 2010 - 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time
My Dear People,
Do miracles still happen today? Were miracles in the past just events
that took place in the Sacred Scriptures? What constitutes a real
miracle? Yes, miracles still do occur today. This is most evident in
the life of the Church when "saint" are canonized. Certified
miracles are necessary in the process of verifying our accepted list
of men and women saints. In today's Gospel, Jesus our Divine
Physician, was teaching in the synagogue. Jesus, the Divine Messiah,
desired to work miracles among His people. He always healed after He
instructed His Disciples. But because the Israelites hearts were
hardened and closed, He could work no miracles for them. The greatest
impediment to miracles and healings, is ourselves. WE are the main
obstacle to God healing us, to God working miracles among us. Our
minds cannot be closed. Our hearts need to be softened and opened.
Otherwise, like in Jesus' day, NO miracles can take place. Just as
Jesus left their presence and went on to another place, so too will
Jesus move forth from us to work miracles in other places. Expect
miracles... Pray for discernment, and watch the power of God move
among us TODAY!
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we put our love for God and for one another into action through our
stewardship gifts of time, talent and treasure.
January 24, 2010 - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
My Dear People,
Preaching to the choir is often a difficult task. Jesus understood
human nature completely. While in the synagogue one day, he opened the
scriptures and began to teach and preach. This was not an uncommon
task for Jewish men of his background. What was unusual, was the
manner in which He concluded His teaching that day. Jesus declares,
"Today Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." He
began with a passage from the prophet Isaiah. The reference in the
passage was about the Messiah. The nature of His Messianic Mission was
complex. The "anointed One" would appear on the scene and
announce His presence. The Messiah would also be known for his
teaching, preaching, and miraculous healings. And so it was, from that
point forward, in obedience to the Will of His Heavenly Father, Jesus
completed these tasks. Until the Second Coming, Jesus continues to
teach, preach and heal through the seven sacraments. Our most intense
healing comes through our frequent Confession and reception of the
Holy Eucharist while in a state of grace. Have you had your healing
today? When is the last time you were healed by Jesus in the Sacrament
of Confession. There is no better way to pray, than through these two
powerful sacraments. Come meet Jesus in the Confessional. Prepare well
to receive the Eucharist. Pray, Pray, and
Pray.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we always pray for good and holy marriages.
January 17, 2010 - 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
My Dear People,
Very few times in the Gospels do we have recorded the words of Our
Blessed Mother. In St. John's Gospel, we have an exception. Mary and
Jesus were at a friends wedding. The groom ran out of wine. What a
terrible embarrassment for the newlyweds. Compassionate and caring,
Mary ask Jesus to take care of the matter. While instructing the
stewards, She tells them, "Do whatever Jesus tells you to
do." It is a command that has echoed throughout every
extra-ordinary apparition of the Blessed Mother, from the first
century until now. Mary simply comes to remind us that we are to
"DO" what Jesus asks of us. Recently, Cardinal Schonborn,
responsible for the writing of our Catechism, visited Medjugorje. This
is the sight of alleged apparitions of Our Lady since June of 1981.
This high ranking Vatican official said that he looked forward to
returning, and encouraged others to go and pray there. The basic
message of Medjugorje is "MIR", which means
"PEACE" in Croation. Our Lady has been giving the very same
message of today's Gospel...." Listen and do what Jesus asks of
You!" Are you hearing the call of Our Blessed Mother? Are you
listening to her Son daily in prayer? Are you following Jesus'
commands? Are you faithful to Jesus in all things? We must
"DO" whatever Jesus asks of us, in order to inherit eternal
LIFE. Are you investing in your eternity with Jesus? Pray, Pray, and
Pray.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we always pray for good and holy marriages.
January 10, 2010 - Baptism of the Lord
My Dear People,
Did Jesus need to get baptized? The answer would be...no. Jesus Christ
chose to be baptized in obedience to His Father's Divine Will. Luke
tells us that at the time of John the Baptist, that the people were
filled with expectation anticipating the Messiah. Unlike His Cousin,
St. John the Baptist says that he is baptizing with water. Jesus, the
Messiah, will baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit. As Our Lord was
going down into the waters of the Jordan River for His baptism, He
arose to see the Holy Spirit descending upon Him. "You are my
beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." This confirmation from
the Father, sets the stage for Jesus' ministry announcing the Kingdom
of God. We hear this same confirmation again at the time of the
Transfiguration; the conclusion of His ministry. Again, we hear the
Father saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well
pleased." Jesus then begins His journey to Calvary. It concludes
with the Resurrection of Our Lord from the tomb. Our true freedom
comes from our Baptism, like Jesus, we too must discover and remain
obedient to the Divine Will of the Father. Ask Jesus for the grace to
know and be faithful to the call He has place on your life.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we fulfill our own Baptismal call by giving ourselves entirely to God.
January 3, 2010 - Epiphany of the Lord
My Dear People,
"We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse
afar...", this is the cry of the whole Church on Epiphany Sunday.
The Magi were Gentile kings without the benefit of a Jewish
education. They came as "wise" men seeking the
Messiah. What made them as much more different than all of their
peers? We may never know. Full of the Light of the Lord, they came
great distances over a rather long period of time; discerning,
seeking, hoping. The word "epiphany" means to make manifest.
God had made manifest His intention to give mankind the Messiah. How
did the Magi know this? What were their signs? Did angels appear to
them like the shepherds in unlikely. What was true of them, is that
they were all three men of deep spiritual faith. Their belief was the
touch stone for Our Lord to ignite. And indeed He did. Pray for a
strong and ardent faith, rooted in hope. We are a culture who has lost
its way. We sink deeper into the abyss of darkness and sin every day.
Despite the light and gifts given by the Most Holy Spirit, mankind is
plummeting into darkness. Let your "little light" of faith
shine brightly, so that those who are lost, may find the way to the
Holy Manger. Pray, Pray, Pray for the conversion of souls.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we realize the great treasure we have in the Most Blessed Sacrament of
Our Lord. Come let us adore HIM...
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